UNICEF at the UN General Assembly
Renewing our commitment and investing in children for a safer and healthier future.
During the United Nations General Assembly, UNICEF works to keep the spotlight on children, generating benefits for their health, education, nutrition, protection and overall wellbeing.
Learn about UNICEF's key events at the 80th United Nations General Assembly and follow @UNICEF for the latest updates
Cutbacks for children anywhere threaten security and prosperity everywhere
For nearly 80 years, global progress for children has been driven by shared commitments – to immunization, education, protection and the systems that help children survive and thrive, even in the toughest places.
But cuts to funding for children, growing violations of international humanitarian law and increasing challenges to universal child rights are putting young lives and futures at risk, just when they need our help the most.
Essential services that keep children alive, healthy, and safe are being reduced or closed down putting millions of children in harm’s way:
- An additional 4.5 million children under five could die by 2030.
- 6 million more children could be out of school by the end of 2026.
- Millions more are losing the basic support they rely on - protection, education, even the modest means they need to stay fed, clothed, and in school.
These are not distant risks nor just budget decisions; they carry lasting consequences for millions of children.
Investing in children unlocks long-term benefits and a more stable, prosperous and safe world.
- Immunization saves 4.4 million lives every year, and has prevented 154 million deaths over the last 50 years.
- Clean water and sanitation prevent up to 1.4 million deaths a year, including hundreds of thousands of children.
- Every US$1 spent on education increases GDP on average by US$20.
With the right leadership, partnerships, policies and financial commitments, large-scale progress has been, and still is, possible.
A better future is within reach, if we choose to act
UNICEF is focusing on what every child needs to survive, be safe and grow. We will lead where it’s needed and our commitment to principled humanitarian action is never negotiable. Our priorities are clear:
- Every child survives – end malnutrition and provide immunization against deadly disease; provide timely diagnosis, treatment and support for mental health conditions and noncommunicable diseases;
- Every child is protected – before, during and after emergencies; and
- Every child learns – quality education, even in emergencies.
UNICEF is calling for a renewed global commitment for financing for children – a bold, coordinated effort to ensure children’s rights and needs are funded.
Every government, business and individual that invests in children and defends their rights at home or abroad is making a strategic choice for long-term peace, health and prosperity. We urge:
- Governments to protect domestic social spending and ringfence essential services for children, especially in fragile contexts.
- Donors and investors to prioritize children in decisions on overseas spending, debt relief, climate finance and thorough, flexible, timely and predictable funding for principled humanitarian action.
- The global community to combine ODA with innovative financing, public-private partnerships and smarter delivery models, while ensuring a strengthened commitment to protect children and their rights from attack.
Just as we have for almost 80 years, UNICEF is determined to stay and deliver for the world’s children.
But we can’t do it without support.
The well-being of the world’s children and a stable, secure future are at stake.
