02.03.2026 Statement for meeting on children, technology and education in conflict

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Madam President,

Denmark thanks the United States for highlighting this critical topic of the first day of the presidency.

And we commend the First Lady of the United States for her presence here today and for showing leadership on this issue.

Let me also thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her sobering briefing.

Madam President,

As we have heard more than 85 million are out of school in crisis settings. From Sudan to the Sahel, from Afghanistan to Gaza, too often, too many school-aged children are prevented from learning. As members of this Council, we have a common responsibility to protect education in conflict.

I commend the efforts by the United Nations in this regard, notably UNICEF, UNESCO and the office of the Special Representative Secretary General for children and armed conflict.

For example, in Ukraine, UNHCR supports access to education, from online learning for refugees to offline learning at underground schools near the frontline. In Lebanon, UNICEF assists access to digital learning for Syrian refugees. And as we have heard from the USG In Afghanistan, UNESCO supports broadcasting of educational programmes to reach learners in their homes.

These are examples of innovative initiatives that make a difference for children and young people affected by conflict. But we can do even more to leverage the potential of technology for education.

Madam President, I will raise three points today.

First, we must make even greater use of innovation and technology to support safe and protective access to education in conflict-affected situations.

When conflict erupts and it becomes unsafe to go to school, digital tools can enable students to continue their education and connect with their peers. But it requires access to digital devices and often also access to the internet.

Children in the poorest places in the world – which count many conflict-affected contexts – are more likely to be excluded from access to the internet.

In short, eliminating the digital divide will help broadening access to education. To leave no child behind. We must keep this in mind, as we seek to protect education during armed conflict, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2601.

Second, Madam President,

The digital space does not come risk free. We know that it brings risks for children’s safety.

In contexts of conflict and instability, these risks can take many forms. Online platforms can be used to spread disinformation, and manipulated content could fuel polarisation, instability, or lead to radicalisation. Young peacebuilders could be targeted. Young human rights defenders may face reprisals or threats, both on and offline. Young women and girls may be targeted by technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Member states along with tech companies must prioritize protection in the digital space. While tech companies have great power in shaping children’s digital experiences, they also have a great responsibility to protect children’s rights. We support that the office of the SRSG for children and armed conflict engages with online platform operators on protection.

Third, Madam President,

As an international community, we must – collectively – ensure that parties to conflict uphold international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Parties to conflict must commit to specific, structured steps to end and prevent grave violations against children and uphold accountability.

As we said in connection with the Red Hand Day on education to prevent the recruitment and use of children just recently, Denmark believes that we need not just to reflect, but to recommit. Recommit to the children in Haiti who should be able to enjoy a safe learning environment without fear of being recruited by gangs. To the children in Sudan who are attacked, starved, and displaced. And to the children in Ukraine, who have suffered abductions and endless attacks on their schools and infrastructure during the four long years of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Schools must be protected from attack – the international legal framework is clear on this.

Madam President, in closing,

Around this table, we must demand that safe and inclusive education is available to all children. We must support access to quality education.

Where that access is disrupted by conflict, we should safely leverage the potential of technology, because education is not only a fundamental right, it is a foundation for sustainable peace, stability and development.

I thank you.