Mr. President,
Ambassador Espinosa,
Excellencies
Dear Colleagues
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured to be part of this Interactive Dialogue with the UN system as part of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, or COSP.
As we commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, let me extend my best wishes to all persons with disabilities around the world.
This 13th session of the Conference presents an important opportunity to engage States Parties and other stakeholders, to:
- share good practices,
- develop innovative solutions and networks, and
- create enabling environments for inclusive development.
The role of the COSP is crucial. In today＊s world, there are about one billion persons with disabilities. As they are among the most marginalized, special attention and support are needed.
We are seeing a far-reaching commitment to removing barriers for persons with disabilities. To date, 182 Member States have ratified the Convention, thus providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate, on an equal basis, in society and development.
The COSP has become, in recent years, one of the largest international fora on disability issues to take place in the 51勛圖. This year, in confronting the COVID-19, we revised the conference framework. In collaboration with OHCHR, OLA and others, we shifted our focus to strengthen institutional, legal and programmatic frameworks. And, by adopting virtual platforms, we made this Conference even more accessible to a larger number of participants.
The Conference's civil society mechanism provides a platform for persons with disabilities 每 and their representative organizations 每 to lead and spur global action. Together, we have built upon the Convention, refining it to serve areas of need and expanding it by forging partnerships.
Dear Colleagues,
In response to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, UN DESA launched, in May, the policy brief entitled ＆COVID-19 crisis from the disability and gender lens＊. This policy brief explores how the pandemic has exacerbated inequalities, including for persons with disabilities 每 especially for those who experience intersecting forms of discrimination, such as women and girls with disabilities.
And to build up the UN voice, the Secretary-General＊s Policy Brief on＊ COVID-19 and persons with disabilities＊ identifies both immediate and longer-term policy responses to support the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.
UN DESA 每 as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Support Group on the Convention 每 also initiated the UN system-wide knowledge repository on the UN Enable website. We continue to collaborate with UN entities on knowledge creation, management and dissemination to address the disability-inclusive UN response to the COVID-19 crisis.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all UN agencies and our stakeholders for their support.
Working together with all partners, UN DESA will continue to address disability inclusion through its analytical and programmatic work. We will also continue our support to advance implementation of the disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goals.
Excellencies,
The role of the Convention is crucial to ensure a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable world for all people, of all ages and abilities.
I wish you have a fruitful and productive discussion today.
Thank you.