Rabat Declaration Gains UN Recognition in Fight Against Child Soldiers
A declaration aimed at bolstering international efforts to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers has been formally recognized by the United Nations, a development that underscores the growing global focus on protecting children in conflict zones. The Rabat Declaration on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) focused on children was published in all six official languages of the UN on December 10, 2025, as a joint document of the Security Council and the General Assembly.
Adopted on November 20, 2025, during a ministerial conference in Rabat, Morocco, the declaration addresses the critical issue of children impacted by armed conflict. The conference, themed “Building Sustainable Pathways for Children Affected by Armed Conflicts,” coincided with the annual World Children’s Day and served as a platform for collective commitment to child protection. The declaration seeks to prevent the recruitment and use of children by armed groups and promote their sustainable reintegration into local communities.
The Rabat Declaration complements existing international legal and institutional frameworks for child protection, while also supporting UN initiatives outlined in successive resolutions on children and armed conflict. Participating African nations expressed their determination to begin a process toward developing a specific African instrument – a convention focused on preventing the recruitment of child soldiers and their reintegration. This move signals a strengthened commitment from African countries to address the issue proactively.
The UN’s recognition of the declaration comes amid alarming statistics regarding the impact of conflict on children. According to recent reports, nearly one in six children worldwide lives in a conflict zone. UN News has reported a rise in the murders and mutilations of children in conflict areas, highlighting the urgent need for increased protection measures.
The declaration’s formal inclusion as an official UN document, under agenda item 67 of the General Assembly – “Promotion and protection of the rights of the child” – and within the official documents of the Security Council, is expected to amplify its impact and encourage wider adoption of its principles. The move follows a meeting in Geneva focused on the declaration and its potential to address the issue of child soldiers globally.
