Geneva: Kuwait Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Naser Al-Hayen, expressed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states' concern over the persistence of child labor. Despite a global commitment to eradicate this issue by 2025, millions of children continue to work under severe conditions or become victims of online exploitation, especially in conflict zones, he noted.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Ambassador Al-Hayen, representing the GCC ambassadors' council, addressed the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata, during an interactive dialogue in Geneva. This meeting was part of the 60th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council. He emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation and support of UN-led initiatives to eliminate such exploitative practices, labeling them as contemporary forms of slavery.
The GCC countries have reportedly made significant progress in protecting child rights and were among the first to adopt the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 1999 (No. 182). Ambassador Al-Hayen highlighted the GCC's active participation in the WeProtect Global Alliance, which aims to shield children from the increasing dangers of online sexual exploitation and abuse.
He further elaborated that GCC states value their partnership with the ILO through a joint action plan (2025-2029), designed to ensure decent work and sustainable development while combating child labor. Protecting children's rights to education and a safe environment remains a priority for the GCC, which continues to collaborate with international partners to eliminate all forms of exploitative practices.