On 6 of April 2022, ahead of the High-Level Conference to launch the new Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child in Rome (7-8 April) 2022), Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, San Marino and Slovenia issued the Declaration on the consequences of the aggression of the Russian Federation for the children in Ukraine supported by 38 member States of the Council of Europe. They condemned in the strongest possible terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and expressed their grave concern about its immediate and long-term impact on millions of Ukrainian children. 

The member States welcomed the adoption of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022 -2027) and underlined the relevance of its strategic objective dedicated to children’s rights in crisis and emergency situations. They emphasised the central role of the Strategy in upholding the rights of all children across our continent, including in the context of the dramatic situation of children affected by the war in Ukraine. High-level representatives of several member States referred to this Declaration in their statements during the opening session of the Launching Conference in Rome.