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<p>The UK Government is committed to helping countries end the recruitment and use
of children in conflict. <br> <br>During the United Nations General Assembly in New
York, I hosted a Ministerial roundtable, chaired by the UN Special Representative
of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms Leila Zerrougui. The
event brought together Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South
Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Mr
Smail Chergui.</p><p>The meeting looked at ways to end the recruitment and use of
children in conflict by government forces, particularly through the implementation
of UN Action Plans. It allowed countries that have successfully ended this practice
to share lessons with those who are working towards this goal.</p><p>The roundtable
built on an event during the End Sexual Violence in Conflict Summit in London in June,
led by my Honourable friend Mark Simmonds MP, where Ministers from Sierra Leone, Democratic
Republic of Congo and Somalia underlined their commitment to ending the recruitment
and use of children in armed conflict.</p><p>The UK is also the majority funder of
a Child Protection Adviser at the AU. This post is designed to ensure child protection
policies are mainstreamed in AU peace enforcement operations on the continent.</p>
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