Invest in Children, Invest in Future, Urges Secretary-General in Message for World Summit

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the World Summit on Investing in Children's Well-being, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, today:

The World Summit on Investing in Children’s Well-being highlights a clear truth: When we invest in children, we invest in the future. But today, decades of progress in children’s well-being are at risk of unravelling.

Conflicts, economic shocks, health emergencies, poverty and climate disasters are putting children in jeopardy, especially in vulnerable communities. Humanitarian and development aid is declining, developing countries are drowning in debt and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is insufficient.

The solutions discussed at this Summit can open new pathways to increase investment in the systems required for children’s well-being. I thank Uzbekistan for its initiative and for hosting this important gathering.

From education, health and social protection to humanitarian support for children living through conflicts, disasters and upheaval, children flourish in systems focused on their needs. For example, your discussions on childhood cancer highlight an unacceptable inequality driven by inadequate investment and weak social services.

Through last year’s Sevilla Commitment, world leaders recognized the need to direct adequate financing to social protection and human development, including critical areas like health and education. By implementing the Commitment’s calls to scale-up domestic and international financing for development and reform the global financial architecture, we can help all countries secure their children’s futures.

Together, let’s invest in solutions that can reach every country, every community and every child — now and for future generations.