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Latest Press Releases, Media Advisories and News Notes

Archived press releases, Jan. - June 2002 - 1996

Norway donates tons of high-protein biscuits to Angola
28 June 2002 - The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs airlifted a total of 70.56 metric tons of BP-5 high protein biscuits to Luanda, Angola, on 26-27 June. This tonnage complements Norway's recent donation in kind of 108 metric tons of BP-5 high protein biscuits that arrived on 19 June in the Port of Luanda. (News Note)

UNICEF mobilizing emergency operation for Southern Africa
26 June 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund is gearing up to provide assistance to Southern Africa, which is poised on the brink of a major humanitarian crisis. (News Note)

UN to launch major report on young people and HIV/AIDS
26 June 2002 - Launch of major new United Nations report, Young People and HIV/AIDS: Opportunity in Crisis, that will become a benchmark in the effort to combat the epidemic. It provides the first detailed statistics on the knowledge and behaviour of young people in the realm of HIV/AIDS, and includes an analysis of what's working and a series of recommendations on how to involve young people in the fight against AIDS. (Media Advisory)

Europe declared polio-free after long campaign
Friday, 21 June 2002 -- The historic decision to certify the WHO European Region polio-free was announced today at a meeting of the European Regional Commission for Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCC) in Copenhagen. For some 870 million people living in the region's 51 Member States , this landmark decision is the most important public health milestone of the new millennium. (Joint Press release)

Angola prepares to vaccinate over 3 million children against polio
Friday, 21 June 2002: Angola's first, nation-wide round of synchronised, cross-border Polio National Immunisation Days (NIDs) for 2002 will take place from 21-23 June. Targeting over 3 million children under 5 years of age, the Polio NIDs are led by the Angolan Ministry of Health with the full involvement of provincial governments and municipal administrations. Angola remains one of only 10 countries in the world in which the wild polio-virus is still present, while today, Europe is being declared polio-free. (News Note)

Canada provides $5.5 million for children in Angola
21 June 2002 -- The Canadian Government has provided $5.5 million (Canadian) to UNICEF to jump-start a major measles vaccination campaign in Angola, where a recent peace deal has led to the opening of regions not accessed by aid agencies in years. Measles is the first cause of vaccine-preventable mortality in Angola and is one of the leading killers of Angolan children.

UNICEF hails new Afghan government; urges investment in children
June 20 2002- We are currently witnessing an unprecedented opportunity for national unity and peace in Afghanistan. This past week delegates came from all over the country to participate in the Loya Jirga in Kabul, a grand assembly convened to nominate a transitional government. The pivotal meeting is a major step toward a democratic society, and reflects the desire of Afghanistan's people for a representative government that will truly strive to fulfill their needs. UNICEF sincerely hopes that the dreadful situation of Afghan children and women, who have long endured the brunt of the decades of deprivation, will be accorded the highest priority. (Offical statement attributable to Carol Bellamy)

Sri Lankan rebels agree to release children recruited as soldiers
The LTTE has given an assurance to the United Nations Children's Fund, that it will not recruit anyone under the age of 18 years in their armed forces. Under this common understanding, UNICEF would maintain a central information system of all confirmed cases of under age recruitment for a follow up during regular discussions between UNICEF and the LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam). (News Note)

Nationwide vaccination campaign launched in Burundi
Wednesday, 19 June 2002 - The National Immunization Days for Measles and Polio were launched on Monday with a call by the Vice President's wife, Mrs. Oda Ndayizeye, for all mothers to protect the lives of their children by having them vaccinated. This campaign, which is taking place 17-28 June and 23-26 July, seeks to vaccinate 3.3 million children between the ages of 9 months and 14 years against measles and 627,720 children between 0-59 months against polio. (News Note)

UNICEF Angola efforts intensify
Tuesday, 18 June 2002 - UNICEF Angola continues to intensify its operations to meet the urgent nutrition, vaccination and health needs of significant numbers of vulnerable children and women in newly accessible areas of Angola and in newly established Quartering & Family Areas (QFAs). (News note)

UNICEF honours Cathay Pacific Airways with leadership award
Tuesday, 18 June 2002 - UNICEF will present Cathay Pacific with the 'Leadership for Children' Award, to recognize the airline's enormous contribution in raising almost US$ 5 million on behalf of UNICEF as part of its 'Change for Good' programme. Cathay Pacific will hand over its latest donation of US$ 673,000. (Media advisory)

Europe on track to be declared polio-free
Tuesday, 18 June 2002 -The European Region, comprising 873 million people in 51 countries*, is on track to achieve polio-free certification on 21 June. The European Regional Commission for Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication, an independent body of international public health experts, will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 20 and 21 to determine whether the European Region has won the battle against poliomyelitis. (Media Advisory)

UNICEF celebs, UN diplomats face off in penalty shoot-off
Monday, 17 June 2002 - On the UN lawn, 19 June, a thirty-minute penalty shoot out involving the UN Goodwill ambassadors and the UNICEF celebrity spokespeoople will underscore that UNICEF and FIFA have jointly declared June 19th and 20th as 'Say Yes for Children World Football Days.' (Media Advisory)

Unicef welcomes release of Ugandan children
Friday,14 June 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) welcomed the release of nearly 100 women and children by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), but called for the unconditional release of thousands more children still held. (Press Release)

Partners launch measles drive to vaccinate 14 million in Kenya
Thursday, June 13, 2002 - In an effort to prevent 18,000 infant and child deaths this year alone, Kenya will conduct its first countrywide mass measles vaccination campaign from June 17-23, 2002. The Kenya campaign, with support from the partners in the Measles Initiative, aims to vaccinate nearly 14 million children between the ages of nine months and 14 years, about 40 percent of the country's population. (Joint press release)

Too many children working, UNICEF says
12 June 2002 - Alarmed by new figures that say one in six children work, including millions in slave-like forms of forced and bonded labour, UNICEF today called on all governments to move immediately and decisively to end the disturbing phenomenon. (Press release)

UN urges 'Day of Tranquillity" in Burundi for vaccination campaign
12 June 2002 - Concerned that continued fighting will hinder vaccination campaigns aiming to reach over three million Burundian children, United Nations officials in Burundi called today on all parties to the conflict to observe 'Days of Tranquillity'. (News Note)

UNICEF appoints Femi Kuti as Special Representative
12 June 2002 -- Calling him one of the most vital figures in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, the United Nations Children's Fund today officially introduced internationally renowned musician Femi Anikulapo-Kuti as its newest Special Representative, at the 2002 BANFF Television Festival in Canada. (Press Release)

Not by food alone: UNICEF urges action against malnutrition
Tuesday, 11 June 2002 - UNICEF said today that global success in lowering child malnutrition could only be achieved through comprehensive action on numerous fronts - including many not directly related to food.

Indian Government launches Hep B vaccine drive for children
Monday, 10 June 2002. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today launched a new initiative that will bring hepatitis B vaccine to children in slum areas in 15 cities and 32 rural districts. The pilot project will initially provide hepatitis B vaccination to about two million eligible infants. The project is to be expanded in a phased manner during the Tenth Five-Year Plan, so that hepatitis B vaccination can be integrated into the routine immunisation services and strengthen them. (Press release)

Quarterly reports show funding urgently needed
Wednesday, 5 June 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund today issued a series of updates on emergency donor appeals. The reports detail the humanitarian conditions of countries in crisis for which appeals were launched in the beginning of 2002. Without an immediate infusion of donor aid, UNICEF's capacity to assist children and their mothers will be hindered, several reports reveal. Thier lives are threatened by disease, conflict, hunger and poverty. (News note)

4 June: Executive Board opens annual session
Notes outlining Executive Board actions taken during the week-long January meeting. (Information notes)

GAVI and China team up to vaccinate millions of children
31 May 2002 - As part of its commitment to protect the lives of millions of children around the world, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and The Vaccine Fund will sign an agreement on 1 June with the Chinese Government to vaccinate children in China against hepatitis B, with a special focus on the 12 poorest provinces. (Joint press release)

UNICEF airlifts more emergency relief supplies for war-torn Liberia
Friday, May 30, 2002 - A UNICEF chartered flight arrives in Monrovia on 31 May, 2002, with over 40 metric tonnes of emergency relief supplies intended for use by internally displaced persons in Liberia. (News Note)

UNICEF applauds Japanese donation to eradicate polio
Thursday, 30 May 2002 - UNICEF today announced a donation of US $17 million from the Japanese Government for polio eradication and the control of other infectious diseases in six countries - Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Nigeria and Sudan. The contribution brings the total Japan has contributed this year to UNICEF for polio eradication and other child health initiatives to US $31.6 million. (Press release)

In new videos, World Cup stars cheer on kids
Thursday, 30 May 2002,: Numerous current and former World Cup stars will be appearing in an historic video series on behalf of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that will be officially launched today, the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Seoul, South Korea. (Press release)

Statement on Humanitarian aid to the region (Republic of Congo)
Thursday, 30 May 2002, The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, in concert with the UN country team in the Republic of Congo, which includes the WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, UNPF, the International Organisation for Migration and the WHO, today called on the warring parties in that country to enter into negotiations to guarantee safe humanitarian access to the most affected regions of the Republic of Congo, where tens of thousands of displaced people are believed to have found refuge in forests or small villages. (News note)

UNICEF report: Birth registration crucial to a Good Start In Life
Tuesday, 4 June 2002 - A United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) study has revealed that millions of babies go unregistered at birth, denying them an official identity, a recognized name and a nationality. (Press release)

FIFA World Cup 2002 auctions memorabilia for UNICEF
Monday, 28 May, 2002, An unprecedented online auction of football gear signed by such luminaries as Brazilian legend Pelé and popstar Anastacia has begun, and will run through the entire 2002 FIFA World Cup. (Joint press release)

Southern Africa food insecurity impacting women and children
Thursday, 16 May 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund has warned that the unfolding food crisis in southern Africa threatens to become a major humanitarian catastrophe if an immediate and adequate response is not mounted. (News note)

Governments 'Say Yes' as agreement is reached on global goals
Friday, 10 May 2002 - The United Nations wrapped up its Special Session on Children late Friday with unanimous agreement on a new agenda for the world's children, including 21 specific goals and targets for child health, education and protection over the next decade, UNICEF announced. Read other documents, including unoffical excerpts (Press release)

UNICEF hails promise for children by Peru President
Friday, 10 May 2002 - UNICEF today hailed the President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo, who pledged in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that his government would reduce military spending in order to redirect public funds to basic social services for children. (Press release)

Children issue statement to world leaders at the UN
Friday, 10 May 2002 - Declaring that "we want a world fit for children, because a world fit for us is fit for everyone," young people from more than 100 nations sent a powerful message to world leaders gathered at the United Nations Special Session on Children this week. (Press release)

Pollution-related diseases kill millions of children a year
Thursday, 9 May 2002 -- Every day 5,500 children die from diseases caused by consuming water and food polluted with bacteria, according to a new study released by three United Nations agencies. (Press release)

World leaders descend on New York for sake of children
Tuesday, 7 May 2002 - Some 60 heads of state and government are descending on New York this week for the United Nations Special Session on Children, but the May 8-10 meeting will be a magnet for more than just political leaders. An extraordinary array of leading figures from business, culture, the arts, academia, and religion will enliven UN headquarters as the world focuses on the future of its children. (Press Release)

We can beat AIDS, TB, and malaria, UN Agencies say
22 April 2002 - A new joint report by UNAIDS, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) released today says that with the right intervention at the right time AIDS, TB and Malaria can be prevented and treated. (Joint press release)

Children to be official delegates at upcoming Special Session
19 April 2002 - More than 300 children will serve as delegates at next month's landmark United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children, UN officials announced today. This is also the first time young people will actively participate in deliberations at a major UN conference in such large numbers. (Joint press release)

One in twelve children dies before age five
Thursday, 18 April 2002 - One out of twelve children will die before age five, almost all from preventable causes, the United Nations announced today as it released an updated version of its landmark publication on the world's children. The child mortality rate and other statistics contained in the report lend gravity to the basic United Nations assertion that serious investment in the rights and development of children is essential to overcoming poverty. (Press release)

UNICEF hails progress toward defeat of neo-natal tetanus
Wednesday, 17 April 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today announced that 15,000 newborn deaths from tetanus were averted last year. The number of neonatal tetanus deaths that occurred last year was 200,000 reduced from 215,000 in 1999. The impact is largely due to the implementation of accelerated activities to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus in several countries, and the result of an effective partnership between Ministries of Health, UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA and other partners. The goal is to eliminate the disease by 2005. (Press release)

Polio pushed to lowest levels in history
Tuesday,16 April 2002 - With only 537 polio cases reported globally in 2001, efforts to eradicate the disease have driven the incidence of polio to its lowest point in history. However the expert panel overseeing the initiative warns that given the current prevalence of armed conflict, the last vestiges of polio must be extinguished now, as any delays will jeopardize the success of the entire effort. (Joint press release)

Afghanistan determined to eradicate polio
Kabul, Afghanistan - 16 April 2002: Afghanistan is on the verge of a major public health victory. In a nation-wide campaign being held from 16-18 April 2002, nearly six million Afghan children will be vaccinated against polio, bringing the country a step closer to stopping transmission of the wild poliovirus in Afghanistan by the end of this year. (News note)

UNICEF says vaccine supply at risk
CAPE Town, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund warned today that the world is experiencing vaccine shortages serious enough to jeopardize immunization programmes for children in both developing and industrialized countries. (Press release)

10 April: Joint statement on Middle East crisis
Wednesday, 10 April 200 -The heads of the major international humanitarian assistance agencies, United Nations, and non-governmental organizations * meeting in Rome took the unprecedented step of collectively expressing their deep dismay and outrage over the military actions in the occupied Palestinian territories and the consequences of such actions in exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Recent events have demonstrated continuing disregard for the protection of civilians. (News note)

World leaders to take centre stage at UN Special Session on Children
NEW YORK, 5 April 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund said today that world leaders are poised to take centre stage at the upcoming Special Session on Children this May, noting that 72 Heads of State and Government have so far committed to attending. (Press release)

UNICEF: Where are the Missing Ugandan Children?
NEW YORK / GENEVA, 4 April 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund expressed grave concern today over the fate of thousands of children that the Ugandan government said were abandoned in southern Sudan over the weekend by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA.) (Press release)

UNICEF urges Mideast leaders to end violence for the sake of their children
Statement Attributable to UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy
GENEVA / NEW YORK, 4 April 2002 - With the unprecedented escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund is deeply concerned by the extensive use of violence by both sides and its immediate and long-term effects on children. (News note)

UNICEF opens tent-school in quake area
2 April 2002 - The first UNICEF "tent-school" opened Monday in the village of Dasht-i-Qazi, in the region of Nahrin were the earthquake hit last week in Afghanistan. Another 11 tent-schools are expected to be erected in the coming days, responding to the wishes of the people that their children be back in school to resume as normal a life possible in the area, following the devastation in Nahrin. (News note)

UN Condemns the Detention of Health Workers in Sudan
OCHA, UNICEF and WHO Joint Statement
NEW YORK, 1 April 2002 - The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have condemned the recent detention of fourteen health workers in Sudan, saying the incident represents a major setback to the polio eradication effort in Sudan and other countries affected by conflict. (Press release)

UNICEF expresses alarm over the fate of captive children
NEW YORK, 29 March 2002 -- UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy expressed alarm today over the dangers faced by thousands of abducted girls and boys caught in the midst of a major military offensive that has escalated dramatically in southern Sudan in recent days. (Press release)

UNICEF rushes assistance to quake-stricken survivors in northern Afghanistan
NEW YORK, GENEVA, 27 March 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) delivered 70 tonnes of emergency supplies to the thousands of quake survivors in the Baghlan province of northern Afghanistan hours after the earthquake hit. Today, a second UNICEF convoy arrived in the worst affected towns of Nahrin and Burka, transporting additional emergency materials - including desperately needed food, medicine and shelter. (Press release)

Afghanistan's schools triumphantly open
KABUL / GENEVA / NEW YORK, 23 March 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund today lauded the Afghan Interim Administration for its "relentless commitment to education," as 3,000 schools across Afghanistan threw open their doors to more than 1.5 million girls and boys, many of whom were entering a formal classroom for the first time in six years. (Press release)

Across Borders, A Commitment To The Future
ALMA-ATA, 15 March 2002 - UNICEF is racing against time to meet the deadline of providing educational materials to one million children before the new school year commences 24 March 2002 after Navroz, the Afghanistan New Year. In CARK, UNICEF's assistance to the "Back-to-School" programme in Afghanistan focuses on the procurement and dispatch of school supplies for more than 450,000 primary-school children in Mazar-e-Sharif. (News note)

First supplies distributed to Kabul schools
Kabul, 12 March 2002: The first student and classroom materials for Kabul schoolchildren began to roll out of the capital's distribution centre Monday, as the nationwide "Back to School" campaign moved up a gear this week. (News note)

Children's role in peace and security to be focus of global conference
Wednesday, 13 March 2002 - Eight weeks from today world leaders will gather in New York City for a major conference focused on global progress for children and the key role that investment in children can play in building global peace and security, the United Nations announced today..

Unfinished business: Global push to save 11 million children
Tuesday, 12 March 2002 - Almost 11 million children die every year from preventable and treatable causes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (Press release)

Every day, every minute, a woman dies giving birth
Friday, 8 March 2002 - Every minute a woman dies while pregnant or giving birth, the United Nations Children's Fund said today, calling for the world to do more to prevent maternal mortality - one of the few measures of human progress to remain virtually unchanged since 1990. (Press release)

UNICEF calls for release of child soldiers by LRA
Tuesday, 5 March 2002 - Fearful that renewed conflict could put thousands of children and young people at risk, the United Nations Children's Fund called today for the immediate and unconditional release of all children abducted in recent years by the Lord's Resistance Army, the rebel group fighting the Ugandan government from bases in northern Uganda and southern Sudan. (Press release)

UNICEF statement on UNHCR-Save the Children report
Wednesday, 27 February 2002 -- UNICEF welcomes the efforts of UNHCR and Save the Children to throw light on the often unreported but widespread problem of child sexual abuse. We are particularly outraged that some humanitarian workers have betrayed the trust of the children they are charged to assist and protect. (News note)

UNICEF to set up Child Friendly Spaces in war-torn Liberia
Tuesday, 26 February 2002 - UNICEF, together with its partners, is seeking to ensure that children's rights are protected in the present wave of insecurity in Liberia. It is particularly concerned that children not be drawn once again into an adult conflict - as they have been in the past. (News note)

Sudan must protect civilians and relief workers
Statement Attributable To: United Nations Children's Fund Executive Director Carol Bellamy, World Food Programme Executive Director Catherine Bertini, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Kenzo Oshima
Thursday, 21 February 2002 - We strongly condemn the 20 February 2002 attack by a Government of Sudan helicopter gunship that killed 17 civilians and wounded an unknown number of others at a food distribution site near Bieh, Sudan. The Sudanese authorities had cleared this food distribution, and vulnerable populations had gathered in the location to receive humanitarian relief assistance provided by the United Nations. (News note)

UNICEF kicks off huge back-to-school campaign in Afghanistan
Wednesday, Islamabad, 18 February 2002 - Two school stationery kits every minute will start rolling off the production line today at UNICEF's classroom materials packing plant in Peshawar, northern Pakistan, marking the start of a huge logistical operation to bring education to Afghan children. The plant will repackage and distribute the kits, each serving 70 pupils and teachers, over the next six weeks as part of the organization's support for the Afghanistan Ministry of Education. (Press release)

UNICEF hails new treaty outlawing use of child soldiers
Tuesday, 12 February 2002 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu and UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy, today hailed the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The protocol prohibits the use of child soldiers. (Press release)

UNICEF Appeal: Reaching the vulnerable
Monday, 11 February 2002, The United Nations Children's Fund today appealed to donors to reach even more deeply into their pockets to help the most vulnerable: children and women in countries in crisis. (News note)

UN Report says Chernobyl disaster still hurting millions
Wednesday, 6 February 2002 - The United Nations called today for an entirely new approach to helping millions of people impacted by the Chernobyl nuclear accident, saying that 16 years after the incident those affected remain in a state of "chronic dependency," with few opportunities and little control over their destinies. The UN warned that populations in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine would continue to experience general decline unless significant new measures are adopted to address health, the environment and joblessness. (Joint press release)

UNICEF key player in measles partnership
Wednesday, February 6, 2002 - Five leading global public health organizations announced today a new initiative that will focus on immunizing children against measles to save 1.2 million lives in Africa over the next five years, as part of a global effort to reduce child mortality. (Press release)

New immunization data show business approach saves lives
Friday, 1 February – Two years after its official launch at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, or GAVI, reports that its goal-oriented approach to development aid could raise basic immunization rates in funded countries by 17 percentage points and increase coverage of hepatitis B vaccine from 18 to 65 percent by 2007, ultimately saving more than two million lives, according to new data released at the World Economic Forum today.(Press release)

UNICEF continues its work for the children of Gujarat
New Delhi/Bhuj, 24 January 2002: A year ago, an estimated three million children were directly affected by a 7.9 Richter scale earthquake in Gujarat. Over 12,000 primary schools and hundreds of Anganwadi and sub-health centres were destroyed or damaged. Since then, UNICEF, one of the first agencies to bring in humanitarian assistance, has been working with the State and people of Gujarat to help children and their families. The total commitment of UNICEF to the relief and rehabilitation efforts has reached US$ 25 million, UNICEF'S largest emergency assistance to India.(Press release)

Kofi Annan visits revived Kabul school
Friday, 25 January 2002 - The visit today of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to the Zarghuna School in Kabul underlines the importance of education in rebuilding the country.The girls' school exemplifies the challenge and hope offered by education; a priority for the the Interim Adminstration in Afghanistan, UNICEF, teachers and students. (News Note)

UNICEF takes on landmines in Viet Nam
Thursday, 24 January 2002 - Today UNICEF Viet Nam announced the launch of a new programme to reduce the nation-wide prevalence of casualties from bombs, landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Executive Board Updates
Thursday, 24 January 2002 - These information notes outline Executive Board actions taken during the week-long January meeting. (Information notes)

Permanent exhibition on children opens
Wednesday, 23 January 2002 - The permanent exhibit, located in the lobby of UNICEF House in New York City, is a place to learn about issues that affect children around the world. It gives insights into the reality of children's lives and what the world must do to ensure their right to grow to adulthood in health, peace and dignity. (Media Advisory)

UNICEF rushes relief supplies to volcano zone
Monday, 21 January 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund is rushing an additional 60 tonnes of emergency supplies to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in an urgent effort to reach the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by a violent volcanic eruption and lava flow near the town of Goma last Thursday. (Press release)

UNICEF hails laws protecting youth, punishing abusers
Friday, 18 January 2002 - UNICEF today hailed the entry into force of the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Negotiated over a number of years with governments, experts and NGOs, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child seeks to raise the standards in protecting children from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. (Press release)

UNICEF hails South Asian leadership for children
Saturday, 5 January 2002 - UNICEF today welcomed the signing of two important conventions on the trafficking of women and children and child welfare by seven South Asian nations. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka signed the conventions this week at a summit of South Asian leaders in Kathmandu, Nepal. (press release)