Rabat: The Rabat Declaration, focusing on the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of child soldiers, has been officially recognized as a joint document of the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly. This initiative has been registered under Item 67 of the General Assembly agenda, titled “Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child.”

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the Rabat Declaration was adopted during the African Ministerial Conference on DDR of Child Soldiers, held on 20 November 2025. The conference, themed “Building Sustainable Pathways for Children Affected by Armed Conflict,” coincided with World Children’s Day and emphasized the commitment to uphold children’s rights, prevent their recruitment by armed groups, and promote their reintegration into local communities.

The Declaration serves as an African complement to existing international frameworks for child protection, aligning with United Nations efforts in resolutions concerning children and armed conflict. It highlights the determination of participating African nations to develop a specific Convention on the Prevention of Child Soldier Recruitment and their Reintegration, supported by the establishment of a Group of Friends to advance this goal.

This initiative enriches United Nations endeavors to combat child soldier recruitment and reinforces international cooperation to safeguard affected children. The multilateral recognition of Morocco’s efforts to combat child exploitation in armed conflicts underscores the Rabat Declaration’s significance within the UN framework.