I would like to thank the Government of Japan for hosting this conference in Tokyo as part of the Consolidation of Peace Initiative and for globally promoting basic education policies for nation building. I would also like to thank the three other co-chairs, particularly commending the Government of Norway for their facilitation of the peace process.

Sri Lanka has made great strides to improve the lives of its children: lowering infant and maternal mortality rates, improving primary school enrollment, and achieving an impressive literacy rate. However, these gains have been undermined by two factors: poverty and war. Today, we have a unique opportunity to secure a prosperous and peaceful future for Sri Lanka’s children. UNICEF strongly supports the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE as they make the transition from two decades of war towards peace and we commend the parties for their significant achievements since the ceasefire.

Investing in children is central to the achievement of sustained and equitable growth, poverty reduction and peace. UNICEF supports the Government in its efforts under Regaining Sri Lanka to ensure that all Sri Lankan children have access to the full range of opportunities to maximize their potential. Investing in children is essential to realizing their rights and providing them with a safe, secure and protective environment. It is also a critical means of building a more productive, economically integrated workforce which is better able to contribute to and share in the benefits of economic growth. This investment in children needs to occur at every stage of their development: Early Childhood, Learning Years and Adolescence.

First, early childhood, the critical period encompassing pregnancy, birth and a child’s first five years. UNICEF supports activities that promote integrated early childhood development, working through Public Health Midwives to ensure access to health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and care practices. In the conflict-affected parts of the country, resources are needed to rehabilitate maternal child health infrastructure and rebuild water and sanitation facilities in schools and health centers. Small investments in this stage of a child’s development can allow them to fulfill their full potential and lead a healthy and productive life.

Second, the learning years, when every child should be in school. Critical investment is needed to ensure that high enrollment is matched with an emphasis on the quality of education, achievement and a school environment friendly to children and conducive to their learning. But in conflict affected areas, there are over 50,000 children not attending school, 5,000 teacher vacancies and severe damage to school infrastructure. There is a special need in these areas to ensure that every child goes back to school and has access to quality education.

In January this year - the first peaceful school year in almost two decades - the Every Child Back to School campaign was launched. For their very first year in school, every Grade One child in the conflict affected parts of Sri Lanka was given a school kit that included a school bag, exercise books, pens and a lunch box. At the same time, an intensive Every-Child-Back-to-School awareness campaign was conducted, targeting parents and communities. The result: a 40% increase in enrollment, as 17,500 more children attended school than the previous year. In all, 61,000 Grade Ones went to school in the conflict-affected areas. This is a small but significant peace dividend. Education is also a key medium through which reconciliation and peace education can be achieved.

Third, adolescence – the transition from childhood to adulthood. For adolescents, UNICEF supports activities targeted at building life skills and eliminating all forms of child abuse. In the North East, this also requires the establishment of a social safety net for the most vulnerable children affected by war.

Last month, the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE agreed to an Action Plan for Children Affected by War. The Action Plan, focuses on vulnerable children, including children engaged in hazardous labour, street children, and child soldiers. This initiative—a multi-sectoral, multi-agency plan to practically address the needs of war affected children--is a direct outcome of the Berlin and Oslo peace talks, and is the result of an ongoing dialogue between the LTTE and UNICEF with the Government of Sri Lanka’s support. The total cost of the Action Plan’s activities stands at US$14 million. Implementation has already begun with the commencement of the building of a transit centre in Kilinochchi. This is a first but significant step to address the issue of child soldiers and would provide a real peace dividend for families in the North East. But the challenges are still great. In particular, these children must be able to return to their homes. The urgency now is to support families and communities to create a protective environment for the reintegration of these children through access to health, education, vocational training, income generating activities and psycho-social care.

As this conference advances the economic recovery of Sri Lanka and the rehabilitation of the conflict-affected areas, UNICEF calls on all parties to invest in children. Children really are the future of Sri Lanka, and now is the time to invest in that future.

Thank you.