The Convention on the Rights of the Child, General Comment No 26, states that children’s rights are interconnected with the environment and climate change. Children have the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, which includes the right to clean air, a rich and biodiverse ecosystem, safe and sufficient drinking water, food security, and a pollution-free environment. States are responsible not only for protecting children from immediate harm but also for preventing future violations of children’s rights that may result from the actions or omissions of all sectors.
Simultaneous with the Global Launch of General Comment No 26 by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, Switzerland on September 18, Thailand, as one of the 196 States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, led by the Department of Children and Youth, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, joined by civil society organisations including UNICEF Thailand, Child Rights Coalition Thailand, Terre des hommes Germany, Save the Children Thailand, The Center for the Protection of Children’s Rights Foundation, CRC Lanna, The Life Skills Development Foundation, andWorld Vision Thailand, came together on this special occasion to express their commitment to working together to promote and support the Convention on the Rights of the Child, General Comment No 26 on Children’s Rights and the Environment, with a focus on climate change. This event was held at the Department of Children and Youth, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Mrs Aphinya Chomphumat, Director-General of the Department of Children and Youth, stated the purpose of this collaboration: “With a goal aligned with many countries worldwide, we aim to protect and promote the rights of children and youth. Through collaboration among all sectors, we will raise awareness about children’s rights and the environment. We will also join in celebrating the global launch of General Comment No 26 on Children’s Rights and the Environment.”
According to UNICEF’s report, ‘The Climate Crisis is a Child Rights Crisis’, Thailand ranks 9th among countries severely impacted by climate change. Additionally, Thai children rank 50th out of 163 countries globally on the Children’s Climate Risk Index.
Miss Wassana Kaonopparat, the director of The Center for the Protection of Children’s Rights Foundation and the chair of Child Rights Coalition Thailand, said: “As organisations dedicated to children and their rights, we recognise that environmental issues and climate change have a profound impact on various aspects of children’s lives. These impacts include their standard of living, health, and well-being, as well as increasing their vulnerability to violence. Today, we have a unique opportunity for both the government, represented by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and various civil society organisations to come together and express our commitment to supporting the Convention on the Rights of the Child, specifically General Comment No 26 on Children’s Rights and the Environment.”
Climate change directly impacts all children, of every age. “The first step in our collective efforts is to communicate and understand the context of the changing environment that poses risks to children. We must work together, with the government driving policy implementation at all levels, and the private sector and civil society working in parallel within a clear framework to the same direction,” said Dr Sarawut Rachasrimuang, National Director of World Vision Thailand,
Mr Anukul Peedkaew, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, confirmed that “Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, as the primary government agency responsible for the quality of life of people of all ages, is ready and fully committed to working with all sectors to promote children’s rights, particularly in the area of the environment. Our focus today extends beyond children to include everyone around children, such as their families, relatives, communities, and society. We are determined to move forward with concrete actions in collaboration with all partners.”
