Bulgaria presented its 6th and 7th periodic reports under the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on 17 and 18 January 2024 in Geneva.

The Bulgarian delegation was headed by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivanka Shalapatova, and the Deputy Head of the delegation was the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Yuri Sterk. The delegation also included the Deputy Minister of Health Mihail Okoliski, the Deputy Minister of Justice Emil Dechev, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science Natalia Mitova, the Chairperson of the State Agency for Child Protection Teodora Ivanova, the Chairperson of the State Agency for Refugees Mariana Tosheva, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs and others.

During the discussions, the head of the Bulgarian delegation highlighted the importance Bulgaria attaches to the fulfilment of its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the two Optional Protocols ratified thereto.

Emphasis was placed on the achievements made in terms of further strengthening our country's child protection legislation, institutions and policies, reducing child poverty, improving health care for every child, ensuring inclusive and quality education for children, taking into account the views of children on all issues affecting them and guaranteeing the rights of all children in vulnerable situations. Bulgaria's high level of commitment to the initiatives and activities within the UN and international organizations and structures of the UN system for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child was underlined. In the course of the discussion, the topics of tolerance and non-discrimination towards children in vulnerable situations, prevention of violence, including physical abuse and harassment in the Internet space, resolution of family disputes in the best interest of the child, provision of legal assistance to children in conflict with the law, guaranteeing the rights of migrant children, children seeking international protection, etc. were addressed.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is a body of 18 independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by States Parties. All States Parties are required to prepare and submit periodic reports to the Committee on the implementation of their obligations.