The UN is facing a deepening liquidity crisis that is already affecting how its core human rights bodies operate. The shortfall has forced several treaty bodies, including the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC Committee), to cancel or reduce sessions. This means fewer opportunities for children and civil society to take part in the monitoring process, longer delays in reviewing States’ progress, and fewer avenues for children to seek justice when their rights are violated. 

At the same time, the Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiative is proposing major reforms to how the UN system works in the lead-up to its 80th anniversary in 2025. While these reforms aim to make the UN more efficient and coordinated, the latest reports make almost no reference to children. This is concerning given that children make up nearly a third of the world’s population, and that UN reforms will shape how their rights are promoted and protected for years to come. 

Together joined 148 organisations, experts and national human rights institutions in signing a joint letter, coordinated by Child Rights Connect, calling on UN Member States and the Secretary-General to ensure that both the liquidity crisis response and the UN80 reforms strengthen – not weaken – the UN’s capacity to protect children’s rights. The letter highlights the cancellation of the CRC Committee’s May and September sessions, and the wider implications for accountability and participation. It also stresses that any reforms to the UN’s structure must be guided by the Secretary-General’s *Guidance Note on Child Rights Mainstreaming*, which commits the entire UN system to put children’s rights at the centre of its work across peace and security, human rights and development. 

The letter urges governments to safeguard the mandates and operational capacity of key child rights bodies – including the CRC Committee, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Representatives on Violence Against Children and on Children and Armed Conflict, and UNICEF. It also calls for meaningful consultation with children and civil society throughout the UN80 process, recognising that the organisations best placed to reach children and advocate for their rights are also those hardest hit by the funding crisis. 

The liquidity crisis has already limited time for key discussions at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, including those on the Rights of the Child. This makes it more important than ever that Member States honour their financial commitments to the UN and protect its ability to deliver on its human rights mandates. 

Together will continue to work with our international partners to ensure children’s rights remain visible and protected throughout the UN80 reform process. You can read the joint letter and see the full list of signatories on Child Rights Connect’s website here.