Addressing participants of a discussion on relations with the United Nations , Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjord Gylfadóttir, pledged to reinforcing co-operation with UN agencies and other international actors to address challenges faced by these children.
Thórdís Gylfadóttir explained two priority areas that have been guiding her work as the Special Envoy – the mandate she assumed exactly one year ago, on 5 February 2025. Her priorities have been advancing accountability for grave violations, including unlawful transfers and deportations of children of Ukraine, and promoting trauma-informed care and child-centred responses that support recovery through psychological care, education and child protection.
“If accountability is delayed, if trauma is untreated, if education is fragmented or access to care uneven, the consequences will extend far beyond this conflict. They will shape an entire generation - and, with it, the future stability and cohesion of Europe”, the Special Envoy warned the participants of the thematic discussion “Human rights and the children of Ukraine”.
The work on the situation of children of Ukraine must be sustained, structured and anchored in co-operation, Thórdís Gylfadóttir stressed. Fostering international cooperation, including with the United Nations, and helping identify synergies between the work of different actors, has been a key dimension of the Special Envoy’s mandate.
Since February 2025, the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine has focused on drawing international attention to the impact of war on children of Ukraine and to relevant Council of Europe standards. This has led to closer co-ordination within the Organisation and with international partners, including the United Nations. She contributed to enhancing co-operation in protection and recovery efforts, supporting accountability efforts through Council of Europe mechanisms, such as the Register of Damage for Ukraine, and raising awareness of expert-led work of the Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine. The Special Envoy mobilised political support at the highest levels to strengthen international commitment to the protection, safe return, and long-term recovery of children of Ukraine affected by Russia’s war of aggression.
Given the important contribution of the Special Envoy to the work of the Organisation in supporting Ukraine, Council of Europe Secretary General, Alain Berset, decided to extend her mandate for another year.
In the coming months, including during her next fact-finding mission to Ukraine, the Special Envoy plans to continue raising awareness about multifaced challenges faced by children of Ukraine, strengthening links between protection and accountability, and promoting the co-ordinated use of existing mandates and tools to deliver tangible improvements for all war-affected children.
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