Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have a comment regarding registration. That was a really good question from my colleague across the way. We've heard about it before. I think digital is a huge opportunity, having just talked to someone who had been working with the World Bank on this. We haven't tapped that technology enough. It's incredible how connected cellphone technology is in these areas. I think it would be really important to pursue those opportunities, not just in registration but in so many other areas.
My questions are for our ambassador.
One of the most disturbing features of conflicts, be they in Syria or the DRC, which we were just debating, is the extension of the violence and abuse in these conflicts to children. You referenced child soldiers earlier, but it also includes the torture of children. I'm wondering if you could tell the committee what the government's position is on the optional protocol to the convention on torture.
My second question is on what you spoke about earlier, on efforts to advance the interests of children in the UN negotiations for the SDGs.
By the way, it's really good to see you. I don't think we have invited you to committee at all, so I'm going to take advantage of this.
What intelligence have you found regarding the main institutional or diplomatic barriers when advancing the interests of children in the UN negotiations—just on the optional protocol and the intelligence that you can share with us?
What are those barriers you're facing when you're trying to push things through at the UN in regard to the interests of children?