Madam Minister,
Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions,
Madam Head of Mission,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is always a great pleasure for me to participate in events that celebrate human rights. It is an even greater honor to celebrate the protection of children, a program making the world safer for them, so they will be able to reach their full potential in the country and the world.
I’ll remember this opportunity today as one of the highlights of my experience in Mauritania: that of having witnessed a unique mobilization by these same children and their partners so that we can ensure greater protection for them through the National Child Protection Strategy.
Indeed, this strategy aims to ensure that “every child, regardless of origin, gender, disability or social condition, present on Mauritanian territory lives and grows up in a protective, caring environment that allows him or her to flourish.” It aims to achieve this by “promoting an enabling policy environment that ensures alignment with Mauritania’s national, regional and international commitments.” The Strategy works to strengthen the child protection system at community, regional and national levels. This ensures continuity of protection for children. Finally, the Strategy aims to strengthen the collection of data for the protection and well-being of children. This will allow the authorities and their partners to access data that informs their planning.
Madam Minister,
Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions,
Madam Head of Mission,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For the Government of the United States, this tool is very important. That is why, in 2021, we set up this $200,000 partnership with Save the Children, to promote human rights through the strengthening of the child protection system. We will continue our efforts to partner with MASEF and the Mauritanian government to promote human rights, and we will work to provide children with the best opportunities to flourish and contribute to the development of Mauritania.
Dear children, thank you for giving us the opportunity today to share with you and to continue to advocate for your cause. I wish you, with all my heart, the best of the world.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to MASEF for all their efforts, to Save the Children for their leadership, and to all our partners for their unfailing support for the cause of children.
Thank you.
