Abuja — The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) stands as a universal standard for building a better world for the best interest of the children, says Executive Director, UNICE, Ann Veneman.

Veneman made this declaration as UNICEF and ECOWAS joined the rest of the world in celebrating the 20th anniversary of CRC in the State of the World's Children Special edition.

According to the UNCEF boss, "the challenges for the next 20 years is to build on the progress already achieved, working together to reach those children who are still being denied their rights to survival, development, protection and participation".

Also in his address, at the joint ECOWAS, UNICEF briefing to mark the celebration, the UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mr. Gianfranco Rotigliano said "in this part of the world we are lacking behind on the participation of children on the issues that concerns and affects them".