Full Statement Delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative Baba Sillah
Madam Moderator,
My delegation extends appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening this significant meeting and to our distinguished briefers.
Madam Moderator,
Liberia reaffirms its commitment to eradicating child labor in all its forms, and especially, forced recruitment and exploitation of children in armed conflict. A post-conflict society, we have seen our children lose their childhood and innocence to war and continue to grapple with the long-term consequences of the resultant disfunction and trauma many societies will be best served to avoid.
Our commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of our children is rooted in our lived experiences for which we have taken pragmatic actions consistent with universal conventions on the rights of children to be children. The exploitation of children is wrong. What is also wrong is the continued economic conditions that are compelling parents to choose between the innocence of their children and the harsh realities of breadwinning.
While the conventions against child labor are good intentioned, intentions are not good enough. The harsh realities of domestic economic situations fly in the face of these conventions.
As we take bold and commendable actions to eradicate child labor, we must also recognize the complex socioeconomic realities that shape labor dynamics in developing and developed nations. Harsh economic conditions may necessitate families relying on their children's assistance in economic production—not out of neglect, but out of sheer necessity. In many developing countries, children hawk water and bread not as an act of exploitation but to supplement their families’ incomes for food, shelter, and tuition.
This reality underscores the need to address the root causes of child labor, including low economic absorptive capacity, economic hardship, and poverty.
Sustainable solutions must tackle these underlying issues. That is why Liberia advocates for the urgent reform of the international financial architecture. We must create a more equitable and inclusive global economic system that ensures fair and reasonable access to development financing for struggling economies. Only through such measures can we truly eliminate child labor and uplift vulnerable communities, ensuring that every child enjoys the dignity of a childhood free from exploitation.
Thank you.
