French Front National MEP Nicolas Bay strikes a melancholy note as he says that he thinks the only outcome of the G20 summit was the confirmation that the EU is wedded to a "globalisation agenda" founded on the continued "economic dominance" of the Unites States.

The G20 comprises a mix of the world's largest advanced and emerging economies, which represent:

• About two-thirds of the world's population

• Around 85 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP)

• Over 75 per cent of global trade

German Socialist Peter Simon says the EU must be a "pioneer" on the issue of tax avoidance.

Recalling Jean-Claude Juncker's investment package to revive the EU economy, which he presented to MEPs this morning, Mr Simon says there is research to show almost three times that amount is lost by national governments due to low-tax arrangements enjoyed by some multinational companies.

"The G20 sent a message of confidence whilst remaining realistic about the global economic outlook," says social dialogue commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, who has stayed in the chamber to represent the Commission in this next debate.

He says that leaders at the summit emphasised the importance of "taxing profits where they are generated", and greater transparency on tax rulings and "automatic exchanges" of information on tax avoidance between countries.

On behalf of the Council of Minsters, Italian MP Sandro Gozi says that in a nutshell, the conclusions of the summit show that the top priority for participating countries remains promoting economic growth and jobs.

The main outcome of the summit was an agreement amongst leaders to boost their economies by at least 2.1% by 2018, adding $2 trillion to global economies.

MEPs will now move on to the next item on the agenda: statements made on behalf of the Commission and the Council of Ministers about the outcomes of the recent G20 summit, which was held in Brisbane, Australia.

Social dialogue commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis brings this debate on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to a close by saying that the protection of children's rights remains a "top priority" for the Commission, which support the Parliament's "staunch support" for the principle, enshrined in the resolution which will be voted on tomorrow.

That's the end of the scheduled speeches for this debate. MEPs who were not on the list to speak now have the chance to do so, during the five-minute 'catch the eye' procedure.

There are only two UN member countries that have not ratified the original 1989 Convention: Somalia and the United States.

There are several reasons that might explain the lack of ratification in the US. Some say that, since US law already complies with most areas of the Convention, it is simply not necessary.

Elsewhere, it has also faced opposition from parental rights groups, who say that ratifying the Convention could undermine the role of parents, preventing them from disciplining their children or taking them out of certain sex education classes.

Supporters of the Convention deny this would be the case, and say that the document in fact contains numerous references upholding the rights of parents.

Spanish centre-right MEP Rosa Estaras-Ferragui mentions the UN's development goals - these goals, agreed in 2000, introduced time-bound targets for poverty reduction, and are due to expire at the end of next year.

In addition to the original text of 1989, there are two "optional protocols" to the convention - one that seeks to prevent children being involved in armed conflict, and another that seeks to prevent child pornography and prostitution, which both came into force in early 2002.

Some of the key rights included in the Convention include:

• The right to free and compulsory primary education

• The right not to be sentenced to life in prison or death before the age of 18

• The right to a name and a nationality

German Conservative Arne Gericke, recalling Tuesday's address to the Parliament by Pope Francis, urges his colleagues not to forget the importance of parents in the upbringing of children.

Labour MEP Linda McAvan, recalling this morning's speech by Congolese gynaecologist and Sakharov Prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege, says she worries that there are still far too many countries in the world where girls in particular are being "left behind" in the upholding of children's rights.

She says she hopes the newly-appointed Commission will make it a priority in its external actions in developing countries to promote rights for girls.

Countries that ratify the treaty have to submit reports every five years to a UN committee of independent experts called the Committee on the Rights of the Child, made up of 18 experts from different countries of "high moral standing".

The committee examines each country's reports, along with information from nongovernmental organizations and UN sources to identify areas of progress and concern, as well as making recommendations for how the lives of children could be improved.

Italian Socialist Caterina Chinnici uses her speaking time to draw attention to what she sees as the lack of protection for children in migration rights.

She adds that migration centres in Europe at the moment are not upholding decent enough standards.

According to Human Rights Watch, external, in the 25 years since the Convention was first signed:

• the percentage of children attending school in the world's least developed countries has increased from 53 to 81%

• the number of countries that prohibit corporal punishment against children has increased from 4 to 42

• children born today are more than twice as likely to reach their fifth birthday, due to greater attention paid to children's health.

Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope begins his speech by declaring that all MEPs should be able to "put aside" their political differences to agree on the fundamental importance of child welfare.

He adds that "more needs to be done" in the online world to prevent the abuse of children on the net, as well as with "third countries" (non-EU states).

"The rights of children are still being violated in many parts of the world, including in the EU" says centre-right MEP Roberta Metsola, who is a co-signatory of the motion for today's debate.

She adds that she feels it is "shameful" that her own country, Malta, has not yet transposed into national law all EU legislation on preventing child abuse.

The Convention is one of the world's most recognised international treaties - with 194 countries, external having signed up.

The last country to do so was South Sudan, which ratified the Convention in November last year.

The Charter aims to protect children from abuse and violence, as well as guaranteeing rights to healthcare, education and a decent standard of living.

The UK signed the convention in April 1990, and it came into force in early 1992. All UK government policies and practices have to comply with its terms.

As Ms Mogherini mentions, all 28 EU member states have ratified the Charter. She adds that she sees it as her role to try, through the EU's external action, to help to promote further progress towards the terms of the Charter in developing countries.