A/HRC/34/45 all children, leaving no child behind. It is high time to genuinely address the root causes of violence and promote a culture of respect for children’s rights and of zero tolerance of violence. It is high time to mobilize and ignite the passion of all those who can actively engage in the creation of circles of non-violence in children’s homes, schools and communities. 32. With the implementation process of the 2030 Agenda, the world has a unique opportunity to place children’s freedom from violence at the heart of the policy agenda of every nation. To achieve lasting progress, hope must replace despair and confidence must supplant distrust. Talent must be placed at the service of the violence-free society we all aspire to build. And it is imperative to move with a deep sense of urgency. B. Leadership and accountability in achieving progress in the protection of children from violence 33. Ensuring progress towards achievement of the violence-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially target 16.2, requires strong leadership, and effective accountability and monitoring mechanisms at the national, regional and global levels. This is a particular concern of the Special Representative, who has promoted consideration of progress towards the violence-related Sustainable Development Goal targets in the reporting and monitoring processes of the treaty bodies and by the Human Rights Council, and in the voluntary national reviews of the high-level political forum on sustainable development. 34. Human rights bodies and mechanisms must be strategic players and mainstream the violence-related goals and targets into their important work. The thematic focus of the 2017 annual day of discussion of the Human Rights Council on protection of the rights of the child in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will be a unique opportunity to further consolidate this vital process of integrating the human rights and development pillars of the new agenda. 35. As the central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda, the high-level political forum on sustainable development is critical to ensuring that ending violence against children is at the heart of the implementation process of the Sustainable Development Goals. The theme of the forum in 2016, “Ensuring that no one is left behind”, was of particular relevance for children exposed to violence. Many of these children suffer in silence, loneliness and fear, and they are too often left behind in accessing appropriate care and support services to overcome their trauma, benefiting from recovery and reintegration and developing to their full potential. 36. In his progress report prepared for the high-level political forum on sustainable development, convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (E/2016/75), the Secretary-General highlighted that “various forms of violence against children are pervasive, including discipline that relies on physical punishment and psychological aggression”. This topic was hardly addressed in the 22 voluntary national reviews. 37. The experience gained from the first set of voluntary national review reports for the high-level political forum will provide strategic input to future reporting, follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It is essential that future voluntary national reviews recognize that sustainable development cannot be achieved while globally, one billion children suffer violence and its devastating consequences. To achieve target 16.2 and free all children from fear, it is crucial to be able to assess progress and identify challenges. The Special Representative is determined to support these reviews and build 10