site.btaUNICEF’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Meets with Outgoing Social Policy Minister, Deputy Foreign Minister in Sofia

UNICEF’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Regina De Dominicis paid a working visit to Sofia on January 22 and 23. She met with outgoing Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov and outgoing Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolay Barievski.

De Dominicis and Gutsanov discussed opportunities to continue the partnership between Bulgaria and UNICEF in developing policies to support children and families, the Social Policy Ministry said on Friday.

The two gave a high assessment of their cooperation to date and highlighted Bulgaria’s leading role in the European Union (EU) in the field of childcare reforms. “These results are the outcome of our consistent policies over the years and of the excellent cooperation with the UNICEF office in Bulgaria,” Gutsanov said, as quoted in the statement. He recalled that on his very first working day as minister, he was invited by the then UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to present Bulgaria’s experience in childcare reform at the United Nations.

De Dominicis highlighted Bulgaria’s progress in key areas, including childcare reform, ensuring access to inclusive education, and the implementation of the European Child Guarantee.

Both sides expressed support for continuing cooperation between Bulgaria and UNICEF after the end of the current cooperation work plan for the period July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027. Its implementation aims to support Bulgaria’s efforts to guarantee the rights and well-being of children, including those in disadvantaged and vulnerable situations, so that they can develop their full potential in an inclusive and protective society.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Social Policy Ministers Nataliya Efremova and Ivan Krastev, and UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria Christina de Bruin.

UNICEF’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and outgoing Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolay Barievski also discussed prospects for future cooperation between Bulgaria and UNICEF after 2027, when the current Programme of Cooperation with UNICEF approved by the Bulgarian government expires, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Barievski stressed the high priority Bulgaria attaches to the protection and promotion of children’s rights. He expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s consistent and significant work in the country, reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to further strengthening and intensifying the partnership, and assured that the Foreign Ministry will continue to support UNICEF’s office in Bulgaria.

De Dominicis highlighted Bulgaria’s important role in protecting and promoting children’s rights at both national and international level. She underlined UNICEF’s high appreciation of Bulgaria’s commitment to the organization’s causes, including through its participation in the Group of Friends of Children and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as its membership of UNICEF’s Executive Board for the 2023–2025 term. The Regional Director thanked Bulgaria for the excellent cooperation and expressed confidence that the partnership will continue to develop and deepen.