A/76/224 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 23 July 2021 Original: English Seventy-sixth session Item 71 (a) of the provisional agenda* Promotion and protection of the rights of children: promotion and protection of the rights of children Annual report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children Summary The present report of the Special Representative of the Secretary -General on Violence against Children is submitted pursuant to General Assembly 64/146. In the report, the Special Representative describes trends, issues of concern and progress made on ending violence against children, including the mainstreaming of child protection issues within the United Nations system. She focuses on the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on children, which has been more severe than predicted. She reports on progress towards realizing the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to build a just, inclusive and peaceful environment that keeps all children safe from all forms of violence, while building back better after the pandemic. The report also provides information on the engagement of the Special Representative with States and other key stakeholders, including children. It concludes with recommendations that emphasize the critical need for greater investment in integrated services for children, including sustainable and inclusive social protection for children and their caregivers, and the need to involve children and young people as part of the solution to the violence that affects them. * A/76/150. 21-10227 (E) 170821 *2110227*