On November 10, 2026, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye participated in the high-level segment of the Child Summit at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. The summit, part of the Paris Peace Forum, brought together heads of state and government, as well as leaders of international organizations. The focus was on protecting children, including their education, health, nutrition, and safety from screens and artificial intelligence.
President Faye highlighted that children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. He stressed that protecting them is a collective responsibility and a political duty for nations, both in times of peace and war. The president emphasized that children do not decide on wars, yet they often bear the heaviest consequences. He called for preventing all forms of violence against children, including murder, mutilation, sexual violence, kidnapping, and recruitment by armed forces and groups.
The Senegalese president detailed his country's commitment to child protection. This includes prioritizing investments in infant health, nutrition, education, and well-being. Senegal has had a national strategy for child protection in place for over a decade, which has led to the development of an integrated protection system and a network of local and community-based structures to identify and support children in danger.
President Faye also mentioned Senegal's national program for supervised education and judicial protection of minors, as well as the national program to combat violence against children, including genital mutilation and child labor. He underlined the crucial role of parents and legal guardians in children's education and development, in line with national legislation and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Paris Peace Forum, which started in 2018, is being held for the ninth time. This year's theme is "From Sovereignty to Cooperation," with over 350 speakers and 80 sessions. President Faye called for increased mobilization of resources and better coordination of international initiatives to protect children. He urged participants to work together to guarantee every child's right to live with dignity, access education, and build their future.
The Senegalese president's participation in the forum underscores his country's commitment to child protection and its willingness to collaborate with the international community on this issue. His speech reflects the importance of prioritizing children's well-being and safety in both national and international contexts.
The Paris Peace Forum provides a platform for leaders to discuss pressing global issues, including child protection. President Faye's address highlights the need for collective action to safeguard children's rights and prevent them from bearing the brunt of conflicts.
Key points
- President Diomaye Faye emphasizes the importance of protecting children from violence and exploitation.
- Senegal has a national strategy for child protection in place, focusing on prevention, identification, and support for children in danger.
- The Paris Peace Forum brings together global leaders to discuss pressing issues, including child protection and cooperation.
