While affirming his full support to the Department for Child Judicial Protection, mandated to coordinate all stakeholders' efforts, the Minister reiterated his commitment to coordinate efforts among the three Ministries concerned (Interior, Justice and Social Affairs)  with a view to pursuing a more harmonized and integrated approach to improving the situation of children in contact with the law.

Stressing the importance of an effective justice for children system in Egypt, UNODC Regional Representative, Mr. Masood Karimipour stated that 'When dealing with children we are dealing not only with a case but a fragile young person, perhaps dispossessed or disowned. How we treat the juvenile indicates to him how society values him. How he emerges from the justice system may well shape him for the rest of his life. Thus, we have an obligation to more than process the case, but to restore and rehabilitate the juvenile since soon he will be an adult: either as a productive member of society or a burden to it. The justice system can positively influence that outcome.'

After highlighting key statistics from the 2006 UN Secretary-General's Study on Violence against Children, Mr. Yann Colliou emphasized "that abuse and neglect are a major problem in any culture and any society." He reaffirmed that "no single one organization or sector can address child protection alone. It requires strong partnerships to make a difference."

During the two-day discussions, presentations were given, best practice models were studied and participants were divided into working groups that were each assigned to tackle a specific issue related to justice for children. The Roundtable was concluded with a presentation of the recommendations of each working group.

UNODC has been providing the Ministry of Justice in Egypt with technical assistance in the field of Juvenile Justice since 2003 leading to many concrete achievements and a number of pioneering reforms.