On 18 September 2017, the Secretary-General convened a High-Level meeting on combatting sexual exploitation and abuse in New York on the margins of the General Assembly. Held at the UN Headquarters in New York, the event served as a visible demonstration - at the highest political level - of the solidarity of the international community in condemning and committing to combating this scourge while placing the rights and dignity of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse at the forefront of collective efforts.

Highlights of this meeting attended by Heads of State and Government included the introduction of the newly appointed Victims’ Rights Advocate and the announcement of the Circle of Leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations, comprised of Heads of State and Government committed to end impunity and strengthen measures to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse in international deployments.