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NEW YORK — His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America praised Greece’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations for securing a Security Council resolution strengthening protections for children affected by armed conflict, saying the achievement held particular significance for him as a hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Visiting Ambassador Aglaia Balta, Greece’s permanent representative, at the mission’s offices, His Eminence congratulated her and the delegation on their great work during Greece’s Security Council tenure. Archbishop Elpidophoros praised Ambassador Balta on the successful passage of Resolution 2832. Drafted by Greece and adopted unanimously on Oct. 19, it addresses abuses against children in armed conflict that are enabled or intensified by digital technologies, including recruitment and exploitation.
The resolution calls for stronger safeguards and accountability, while encouraging the safe use of technology to support education and child protection. Balta said Greece intended to continue its initiatives on children and maritime security beyond its Council term, with a workshop on children planned for early 2027.
The discussion turned to Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine and the prospects for ending the war. Archbishop Elpidophoros also expressed concern over intensifying Russian attacks on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, describing efforts by Russian state and affiliated actors to undermine the institution.
On Cyprus, Archbishop Elpidophoros stressed the importance of keeping the issue on the U.N. agenda until a just and viable settlement is achieved. Also discussed was the United Nations’ potential role in establishing an international framework for artificial intelligence. The Archbishop said a U.N. body could help bring countries and other key participants worldwide into the development of shared rules and safeguards. Balta emphasized the need for U.N. leadership with the political foresight to address such emerging challenges.
> Read: Balta’s resolution for the safeguarding of children affected by armed conflict
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