1990 “World Summit for Children” held
In 1990, with the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted the previous year coming into effect, the “World Summit for Children” was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York amid growing worldwide momentum to address issues related to children. This was the first time in history that a summit-level international meeting was held exclusively for children's issues, and representatives of 152 governments (including 71 heads of state) took part. The goals were set for children to be achieved by the year 2000, and from Japan, then Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu participated and delivered a keynote speech.
The summit defined 27 goals, focusing on the 7 goals to be achieved, which are listed as follows.
- Reduce the under-five mortality rate to one-third of the 1990 level, or 70 per 1,000 live births.
- Reduce the maternal mortality rate to half the 1990 level.
- Reduce the under-five malnutrition rate to 1990 levels.
- Ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all.
- Ensure that all children have access to primary schooling and that at least 80% graduate from elementary school.
- The illiteracy rate among adults will be reduced to half the 1990 level, with emphasis on improving the support of women.
- Protect children, especially those in difficult circumstances, and provide special protection for children such as those involved in armed conflict.