All MS briefing on the 5th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration
Statement by Norway delivered by Ambassador Mr. Tormod C. ENDRESEN
Check against delivery
28 October 2025
Many thanks to Kenya for this timely briefing, and for inviting Norway to join.
2025 is an important year for the Safe Schools Declaration, which was adopted in Oslo 10 years ago.
The Declaration has been important. Most of us would agree that children and youth going to school should be protected from armed conflict. Moreover, attacks on schools are illegal under International Humanitarian Law. The Declaration underscores that commitment and provides a practical framework for states to act to protect education from attack.
The Declaration has now been signed by no less than 121 countries. I hope we can use the momentum of the upcoming conference in Nairobi to reach even more.
Equally important is of course the need to ensure that the principles in this declaration are implemented.
Unfortunately, we see from the SRSG CAAC report that attacks on schools and hospitals increased with a staggering 44% last year, compared to 2023 which was already a record high year.
In the Abuja conference four years ago a state-led implementation network was launched to enhance cooperation between all endorsing states.
The 5th international conference will be an important opportunity to look at the achievements over the last 10 years and also to see what we need to do to address current challenges and improve implementation.
We appreciate Kenya’s commitment and leadership on the efforts to protect education from attack, and we do look forward to working with you to ensure the success of the conference.
The statistics and news from conflict zones across the world tells us that a focus on protection of children and education in armed conflicts, which is the purpose of the declaration, is urgent and timely.
We look forward to continued cooperation and to see how to best work together – both here in Geneva and elsewhere – for both increased support and better implementation of this important declaration.