Minister Petrova Holds Farewell Meeting with UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria Christina de Bruin
30 June 2026 News
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Velislava Petrova, met with Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, on the occasion of the conclusion of her mandate and ahead of her departure from the country.
„“Thank you for the excellent cooperation, as well as for your dedicated commitment to advancing the cause of children’s rights and well-being,” Minister Petrova said during the meeting. Bulgaria’s top diplomat and Christina de Bruin shared the view that, against the backdrop of growing international conflicts and numerous global challenges, the protection of children’s rights must remain among the international community’s priorities. Velislava Petrova emphasised that investing in children is an investment in sustainable development and peace, and that the work of organisations such as UNICEF is particularly vital at a time when the international system is facing significant challenges.
The discussion also focused on the risks that the digital environment poses to children. Both sides underlined the need for closer cooperation among states, international organisations and technology companies to ensure children’s online safety and to curb practices that expose them to harmful digital content.
The meeting also addressed Bulgaria’s co-chairmanship of the Group of Friends of Children and the Sustainable Development Goals. Minister Petrova noted that these commitments reflect Bulgaria’s consistent support for promoting children’s rights within the United Nations. The participants also discussed the importance of Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a key instrument for supporting children and vulnerable communities.
The UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria highlighted the significant progress Bulgaria has made in the field of children’s rights, noting that the country’s experience could serve as a valuable example for other countries. Both agreed that these achievements are also the result of the successful partnership between UNICEF and the Bulgarian institutions working in this field, which they expressed confidence would continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.
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