Addressing participants in a discussion on relations with the United Nations, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjord Gylfadóttir, Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine, pledged to reinforce cooperation with UN agencies and other international actors to address the challenges faced by these children.
Gylfadóttir outlined two priority areas guiding her work since assuming her mandate on 5 February 2025. These priorities include advancing accountability for grave violations, such as unlawful transfers and deportations of Ukrainian children, and promoting trauma-informed, child-centred responses to support recovery through psychological care, education, and child protection. She emphasized that delays in accountability, untreated trauma, fragmented education, or uneven access to care could have long-term consequences, shaping an entire generation and affecting the future stability and cohesion of Europe.
The Special Envoy stressed that work on the situation of children in Ukraine must be sustained, structured, and anchored in international cooperation. Fostering collaboration, particularly with the United Nations, and identifying synergies among different actors has been a central aspect of her mandate.
Since February 2025, Gylfadóttir has focused on drawing global attention to the impact of the war on children in Ukraine and aligning efforts with relevant Council of Europe standards. Her work has strengthened coordination within the Organisation and with international partners, including the UN, supported accountability through mechanisms like the Register of Damage for Ukraine, and raised awareness of the expert-led Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine. She has also mobilized political support at the highest levels to ensure protection, safe return, and long-term recovery for children affected by Russia’s war of aggression.
Recognizing her contributions, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset extended her mandate for another year. In the coming months, including during her next fact-finding mission to Ukraine, the Special Envoy plans to continue highlighting the multifaceted challenges faced by children, strengthen links between protection and accountability, and promote coordinated use of existing mandates and tools to deliver tangible improvements for all children affected by the war.
