Children's Week 2025

Allow me to change the order today and to start

Dear Maša and Strahinja, your excellences madam Aleksić, Minister Žarić Kovačević, Mr. Pašalić, Iva, ladies and gentlemen. And most importantly, dear children,

Happy Children’s week, I like the slogan every child can play, laugh, dream, and create. This is how the happy childhood looks like,

But what is needed for a child to have a happy childhood, to live in a safe and supportive environment. The answer is in the CRC. The answer is to ensure that everyone child’s right is guaranteed.

Serbia has hardly worked towards this goal over the last decades. Serbia achieved some remarkable results towards SDGs.

• Child and maternal mortality decreased,
• ECD
• ECE.

UNICEF has been always with Serbia on this path.

Serbia has already embarked on a journey towards ensuring other child rights:

• The right of education – to be able to learn and play with your peers in regular school, - IE – 15 years. Results, more to achieve.
• The right to live with your family – DI – ambitious start – to be continued.
• The right to live in safe environment, free of violence – at home, in school, online, on the street.

I’m pleased that Mr Kovacevic took the lead in developing the new VAC strategy and coordinating all the respective ministries. Challenging endeavor particularly the implementation.

But we have a common goal – to ensure that every child can play, laugh, dream, and create.

Thank you.