On the margins of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK met with H.E. Najat Maalla M’JID, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children.

The discussions focused on advancing efforts to prevent violence against children, including strengthening protection mechanisms in the digital environment. Both sides underscored the critical role of data, research, and effective monitoring frameworks in supporting preventive approaches and reinforcing national child protection systems across OIC countries.

H.E. SELÇUK highlighted SESRIC’s commitment to promoting child well-being through evidence-based policy support and capacity-building initiatives. She emphasized that addressing violence against children—particularly in increasingly complex digital spaces—requires coordinated action, reliable data systems, and informed policy responses. Referring to the Covenant on the Rights of the Child in Islam adopted by the OIC, she noted that it provides a vital normative foundation for safeguarding children’s rights across member countries.

H.E. SELÇUK further drew attention to SESRIC’s practical contributions in this domain, including the Workshop on “Cyber Addiction: Best Practices to Protect Children from Violence via the Internet in OIC Member States” held on 14–15 October 2025. She stated that such initiatives reflect SESRIC’s proactive role in facilitating knowledge exchange and promoting best practices, and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with the United Nations through joint research, training programmes, and policy-oriented activities.

In her remarks, H.E. M’JID commended SESRIC’s efforts in strengthening data systems and fostering knowledge-sharing platforms among OIC countries. She underlined the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in preventing violence against children, particularly in the digital sphere where risks continue to evolve rapidly. Emphasizing the need for comprehensive and integrated approaches, she highlighted that combining robust data, effective monitoring, and community-based interventions is essential for building resilient child protection systems.

H.E. M’JID also welcomed the opportunity to enhance cooperation with SESRIC, noting that the alignment of research, policy development, and capacity-building efforts can significantly contribute to advancing global and regional agendas aimed at ending violence against children.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening collaboration and exploring concrete avenues for joint action to support OIC countries in developing effective, data-driven strategies for the protection and well-being of children.

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