UN/SH News Service Franz UN Under-Secretary-General, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Fraser in the UN studio. Photo from the archive The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict completed her first official visit to Russia Human rights
UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Fraser completed a two-day visit to the Russian Federation. During meetings with government officials and other stakeholders, she discussed the protection of children affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
Meetings in Moscow
This visit was Fraser’s first trip to the Russian Federation in this position. The Special Representative met with Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee. She held meetings with the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, as well as with children and their families. In addition, Fraser spoke with staff of the UN system in Moscow and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
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The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict completed her tour of Ukraine
In Moscow, the Special Representative held constructive discussions on the implementation of her mandate on children and armed conflict, as well as the mandate provided for by the 2025 UN General Assembly resolution on the return of Ukrainian children. She stressed the need to develop a joint plan to end and prevent grave violations of children’s rights.
She also noted the importance of implementing appropriate procedures to urgently locate and reunite with their families children who have been displaced, handed over or deported during the conflict, in accordance with the rights and best interests child.
Visit to Belgorod
The Special Representative also visited Belgorod, a city directly affected by the conflict, where she met with the acting governor, the Deputy Governor for Internal Policy and the Minister of Education, and inspected damaged facilities.
“Children continue to bear the heavy burden of war, which takes a toll on both their physical and mental health. Urgent action is needed to ensure the safety and well-being of those most affected by the conflict,” Fraser said. “I hope that constructive discussions will lead to concrete measures to protect children.” This is extremely necessary.”