United Nations, Sep 19 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for global solidarity to fight sexual exploitation and abuse.

Speaking at the High Level Meeting on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Guterres on Monday stressed that sexual exploitation and abuse is a global menace from which no country, institution, or family was immune, reports Xinhua news agency.

"It is a moral and organisational imperative to put an end to sexual exploitation and abuse.

"Through this extraordinary demonstration of political commitment, the member states and the United Nations commit themselves to measurably improving the organisation's effectiveness in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse and pledge to put the rights and dignity of victims at the centre of their efforts," he said.

Heads of states and government, ministers, ambassadors, heads of international organisations, and civil society partners attended the meeting ahead of the General Assembly.

The Secretary-General said civil society and humanitarian organisations should work more closely with the UN, as there is so much to gain from closer interaction and collective efforts on the ground to strengthen preventative and responsive measures.