But in 2026, as the organization celebrates its 80th anniversary, children are living in a world that is increasingly hostile to their rights. Rising poverty and inequality, public health emergencies and the mounting debt burden infringe on children’s ability to reach their full potential. Rising geo-political tensions have led to the highest number of conflicts in the world since UNICEF was established – with 1 in 5 children now either living in a conflict zone or fleeing from it. Globally, more than 1 billion children currently live in countries that are at ‘extremely high-risk’ from the impacts of climate change, posing an existential threat to the health and wellbeing of this and future generations of children. The decline in global ODA compounds the challenge to reach children in need of humanitarian assistance, social services or protection. 

Child rights violations are widespread and increasing, including grave abuses such as recruitment into armed conflict, sexual viol...