A/74/259 II. Keeping the promise to end violence against children by 2030 10. In July 2019, the high-level political forum on sustainable development reviewed four of the Sustainable Development Goals that are of special relevance to ending violence against children: Goal 4 on inclusive, safe and equitable quality education; Goal 8 on decent employment, including the elimination of child labour; Goal 10 on reducing inequalities; and Goal 16 on building peaceful, just and inclusive societies, including its specific target 16.2 to end all forms of violence against children. 11. In the period leading up to the high-level political forum, the Special Representative actively engaged in the review processes to help to ensure that distinct attention was given to the violence-related targets of the Goals and their role in achieving the vision of the 2030 Agenda. To support this advocacy campaign, in cooperation with a wide range of partners, the Special Representative developed a thematic report entitled Keeping the Promise: Ending violence against Children by 2030, 1 that was launched at a high-level event at the high-level political forum. 12. The launch event was attended by Ministers from Member States presenting voluntary national reviews, the senior leadership of the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and representatives of civil society. The event was opened with powerful interventions by four children who are actively engaged in action towards implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 13. Keeping the Promise builds on national implementation efforts, as well as initiatives promoted by a wide range of stakeholders to mobilize support and influence progress, including United Nations entities, regional organizations, civil society, professional associations, academia, religious leaders and independent children’s rights institutions. It takes stock of progress made during the first four years of the 2030 Agenda, documenting lessons learned, acknowledging challenges and anticipating strategic actions needed to realize its vision of a world free from fear and from violence. Keeping the Promise also captures the views, experiences and recommendations of young people who are crucial agents of change. A. Progress and challenges since 2015 in ending violence against children 14. In his foreword to Keeping the Promise, the Secretary-General declares that “violence against children is a silent emergency that must end. And zero tolerance for violence against children is a priority that I am committed to pursue. It is hi gh time to change the continuum of violence that shapes children’s lives to a continuum of protection of their human rights”. 15. The solemn commitment to safeguard the right of every child to protection from all forms of violence by the 196 States that have ratified the Convention and the 2030 Agenda vision of a world free from violence constitute a promise to bring this silent emergency to an end. Keeping the Promise documents the momentum that has been created towards reaching this goal. The impetus is fuelled by shifting attitudes, with a widely shared consensus that violence against children is intolerable, and growing confidence based on evidence that it is not inevitable and can be prevented. It is seen in new laws and policies, new initiatives, new evidence and new partnership – with children themselves increasingly taking the lead. __________________ 1 19-13055 United Nations publication, Sales No. E.19.I.13. 3/16