Rights of the child A/RES/68/147 of the twenty-seventh special session of the General Assembly 22 and on the status of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the issues addressed in Assembly resolution 67/152, 23 as well as the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children 24 and the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, 25 whose recommendations should be carefully studied, taking fully into account the views of Member States, Acknowledging the important role played by national governmental structures for children, including, where they exist, ministries and institutions in charge of child, family and youth issues and independent ombudspersons for children or other national institutions for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, Recognizing that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children, in the best interests of the child, and that children, for the full and harmonious development of their personality, should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding, Noting with appreciation the work to promote and protect the rights of the child carried out by all relevant organs, bodies, entities and organizations of the United Nations system, within their respective mandates, by relevant mandate holders and special procedures of the United Nations and by relevant regional organizations, where appropriate, and intergovernmental organizations, and recognizing the valuable role of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, Profoundly concerned that the situation of children in many parts of the world remains negatively affected by the world financial and economic crisis, and reaffirming that eradicating poverty continues to be the greatest global challenge facing the world today, recognizing its impact beyond the socioeconomic context, Profoundly concerned also that the situation of children in many parts of the world remains critical, in an increasingly globalized environment, as a result of the persistence of poverty, social inequality, inadequate social and economic conditions, pandemics, in particular HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation, environmental damage, climate change, natural disasters, armed conflict, foreign occupation, displacement, violence, terrorism, abuse, trafficking in children and their organs, all forms of exploitation, commercial sexual exploitation of children, child prostitution, child pornography and child sex tourism, neglect, illiteracy, hunger, intolerance, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, gender inequality, disability and inadequate legal protection, and convinced that urgent and effective national and international action is called for, Expressing deep concern that, despite the recognition of the right of the child to express his or her views freely on all matters affecting him or her, and bearing in mind their evolving capacities, children are still seldom seriously consulted and involved in such matters owing to a variety of constraints and impediments and that the full implementation of this right in many parts of the world has yet to be fully realized, _______________ 22 A/68/269. A/68/257. 24 A/68/274. 25 A/68/267. 23 3/19