(1st meeting) 19th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP19)

We will start in two minutes.
Minutes to see if they sit down Please.
Please take your seats.
We'll be starting the conference in two minutes time.
Wonderful.
Good morning.
I declare open the 19th session of the Conference of State Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, and call to order its first meeting.
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, pursuant to article 34, paragraph five of the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities and rule 12 of the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of State Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
cRPD slash csp slash 2000 and 8/3.
The necessary quorum for the meeting is.
Two thirds of the state parties.
As there are 193 state parties to the convention the quorum is 129 states.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I was informed by the Secretariat that the required quorum for the conference is obtained.
Distinguished delegates, representatives from the UN system, civil society, national human rights institutions.
Good morning and warm welcome to all of you present in this 19th session of the Conference of State Parties.
I am so pleased that we have come together again at this conference for Sri Lanka.
It has been a great honour to be the president of the Conference of State Parties and on behalf of my fellow bureau members, vice presidents from Canada, Peru, Poland and Tanzania, we wish to express our appreciation for all your trust in us to take up these important positions and work closely with you to organise the conference over the past months.
Distinguished delegates With this, may we now proceed to item three, which is the adoption of the agenda, and may I take it that the conference wishes to adopt the provisional agenda as contained in document C D/C/2026/1.
I see no objection.
It is so decided.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities was adopted in 2006 and came into force in May 2008.
We are happy to see the stable trend towards universal ratification of the cRPD to date.
We have already 193 States parties demonstrating our strong and unwavering commitment to the rights and advancement of persons with disabilities.
Taking this occasion, I would like to extend our warm congratulations and special welcome to Lebanon, who ratified and joined us in this family.
As a state party to the convention.
After the last session, colleagues, our 19th session of the conference is taking place at an important juncture.
As 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
Over the past two decades, the convention has been powerful and successful in triggering legal and policy reforms and inspiring concrete actions and efforts to protect and promote, promote for the improvement of the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities worldwide.
Indeed, lots of achievements can be celebrated and experience and good practices should be learnt with the view to bettering our practices on the ground and accelerating the implementation of the cRPD.
On the other hand, we know that despite all the progress achieved, huge challenges and gaps remain and for the world's over 1.3 billion persons with disabilities, even though their rights have been well established in the convention, many of them are still challenged by attitudinal, political and socio economic barriers, and they experience discrimination, marginalization exclusion and sometimes abuse and violence in various aspects of life in society.
Too often, their rights are still neglected or violated.
That's where the United Nations and we as state parties can and shall address in order to promote their rights and ensure for more inclusive society and development for all.
Distinguished delegates.
Over the years, our annual Conference of States parties has become one of the most important global forums on disability.
Our 19th session of the conference that takes place in this critical moment of historical significance could indeed offer a prime opportunity for all our States, parties and stakeholder partners to reflect together on the experiences and lessons learnt, identify and address the gaps, strengthen policies while improving practices on the ground in the coming few days.
Under the overarching theme, the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities at 20, celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in the changing world, we will be able to focus our thematic deliberations on some pertinent issues, including first creating a world free from exploitation, violence and abuse for all persons with disabilities.
Second, resilient societies strengthening care and support systems to ensure the empowerment, autonomy and independence of all persons with disabilities.
And we will also focus on from participation to representation enhancing accessible civic engagement, leadership and advocacy in political and public life.
I kindly invite all delegations representatives from UN systems entities, human rights institutions and civil society friends and partners to actively participate in and contribute to these discussions at official as well as sideline events over the three days.
Let us also grasp this opportunity to explore ways for further strengthening international cooperation among states parties, United Nations human rights and development institutions, and civil society especially organisations of persons with disabilities.
Together, we shall and can do better for the full realization of the rights and inclusive development for all persons with disabilities all over the world.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Distinguished delegates.
Now it is my great honor to invite His Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, to deliver.
Statement from the rostrum.
Excellency, you have the floor.
President.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, welcome to the premier forum dedicated to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities around the world.
I thank the many ministers, policymakers and delegates, including those from civil society here today, and we are especially grateful to all those who live.
The experience can help guide this critical discussion.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
For countless people around the world, that means 20 years with wider access, greater recognition, and deeper respect This convention helped to shift the paradigm of disability from a medical and charity based model to one that centres in human rights.
Almost every agreement since has reflected this change, with the Sustainable Development Goals enshrining disability inclusion as a key measure and decision making factor.
I thank each and every one of you for helping make this happen.
This room is filled with champions who have worked to break down the barriers that hold back persons with disabilities and impede their contributions to the world.
The convention has now been ratified by 192 countries and one regional organisation.
Over 90% of countries have laws guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities, and nearly 80% prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities in hiring, and 75% have passed laws to guarantee the integration of students with disabilities.
In practical terms, this means millions more children and youth receiving an education, and millions more adults are earning a living.
It means more independence and more resilient communities.
And today is your day to take pride and for the world to thank you for your tenacity.
But it is also a moment to reflect.
The latest UN Disability and Development report found that almost all of the SDG indicators for persons with disabilities are off track In other words, while progress is real, it is unacceptably slow.
Worse still, we are at least of losing the ground we have gained.
Our world faces a whirlwind of crisis, from climate change to conflict to a global surge in the cost of living.
And we know that when conflicts erupt or disasters strike, persons with disabilities are among the first to lose.
Lose their jobs, lose access, lose their lives.
Such crises can also result in further disabilities and lasting impacts on mental health.
This is why, as we tackle these challenges, we must keep the needs of persons with disabilities front and centre, and this conference focuses on three crucial themes first, violence and abuse.
The numbers are shocking.
One third of all children with disabilities experience neglect or violence, be it emotional, physical or sexual.
These risks extend into adulthood, especially among women with disabilities and persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities.
This must end.
That requires better mechanisms for identifying and reporting exploitation, and it requires justice systems that are accessible to all.
Next, support systems and care.
It's time to rapidly scale up services that enable persons with disabilities to participate more fully in economic, social and political life.
We know that within existing care systems, persons with disabilities both provide and receive care.
And we also know that unpaid care workers fall disproportionately on women and girls, including women and girls with disabilities.
Improving care systems can help advance both disability inclusion and gender equality.
And this includes better rehabilitation and habilitation.
Accessible and affordable housing, assistive technology and enhanced transportation.
Such services can make an especially big difference in low income nations, where almost half of persons with disabilities still cannot access community activities, and where more than 60% are still denied the support to make decisions about their own lives, including where to live or how to spend their money.
This requires national development plans that prioritize disability, and both domestic and international investment.
And it also requires a deeper recognition of the link between age and disability, including policies that prioritize long term care and support as populations age.
Finally, civic engagement.
Persons with disabilities are often missing from many political and other roles in developing countries.
About 30% of persons with disabilities encounter hurdles when trying to vote in elections.
For decades, the disability movement has made its message clear.
Nothing about us without us.
And governments have a responsibility to remove all barriers to participation in every aspect of political and public life, and to empower persons with disabilities to be full partners in policy making.
Dear friends, too often living with a disability means living in a world designed by and for others.
Luckily, it is possible to redesign the world.
The United Nations strives to lead by example.
Our Disability Inclusion strategy aims to ensure change, led by the insights of people with disabilities.
Thanks to new hiring practices and new physical and digital tools.
UN personnel now better reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
Our budget for the coming year invests in taking this strategy to the next level, with further accommodations for staff and delegates planned.
We have done this not simply because it is the right thing to do, but because it means we have access to more top talent and the world needs that talent.
The world benefits when everyone has the chance to use their skills in the service of humanity and to pursue their dreams.
Your discussions today are a vital next step towards a world where all of us are respected and included together Let us realize the rights of every person with disabilities and build a fair and vibrant future for all.
Thank you.
I thank His Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary general of the United Nations, for his statement.
Now, it is my great honor to invite Miss Sophia Boas, chef de cabinet, for delivering a statement on behalf of Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock, the president of the General Assembly.
President of the Conference of State Parties.
Mr.
Secretary General, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
I am honored to deliver these remarks on behalf of president of the General Assembly, Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock, who sends her sincere regrets that she is unable to join us in person due to her ongoing visit to Kenya.
Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya In December 2006 the General Assembly adopted the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities with a clear purpose to protect and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities while ensuring their full and equal participation in society.
Nearly 20 years later, the convention has helped advance tangible progress while transforming the international community's approach to disability.
Moving away from charity based approaches and towards one rooted in autonomy, equality, accessibility and participation, that progress can be seen across several areas in employment and, according to the United Nations Disability and Development Report of 2020, for 79% of countries now have legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.
In education, 87% of countries included in the study now have laws and practices policies protecting the right to education for persons with disabilities, up from 74% in 2016.
In electoral participation, states are increasingly taking proactive measures, including by making polling stations more physically, physically accessible to persons with disabilities.
These are examples of progress.
They reflect years of advocacy, legal reform and institutional effort, including by persons with disabilities themselves.
Yet progress in law has not always translated into progress in daily life.
For too many persons with disabilities.
Equality remains constrained by poverty, exclusion, and dependence on systems that were not designed around the rights or choices.
In many developing countries, persons with disabilities still lack access to assistive technology they need.
Care and support systems remain inadequate, limiting independent living and full participation in their communities.
These gaps are felt across daily life, in education, in employment, public services, transport, information and communications, and civic participation, including voting.
They fall even more heavily on women and girls with disabilities, persons with intellectual disabilities, indigenous persons with disabilities, and persons with disabilities living in rural areas who often face overlapping forms of exclusion.
The result is a persistent cycle of inequality.
Persons with disabilities remain at higher risk of poverty, often earning lower wages, facing additional disability related costs and lacking equal access to financial services.
That is why this is this moment requires renewed focus and practical action.
The 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development and the recent Doha Political Declaration both commit to leaving no one behind.
That promise cannot be fulfilled while persons with disabilities continue to face barriers whether in education, employment, public services or political life.
Indeed, disability inclusion is one of the clearest measures of whether social development is truly inclusive.
Achieving that goal requires investing in support systems that enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in their communities, while protecting them from exploitation and exclusion.
It also requires actively involving persons with disabilities in shaping the policies and decisions that affect their lives.
At the high level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Youth of Action for youth, we heard from James Casali, a 19 year old disability advocate and wheelchair user.
He reminded us that, and I quote, participation is more than a box ticking exercise.
It is when we get to our own decisions, and not just to have other people make decisions on our behalf, as we always say nothing about us without us.
End quote.
James was speaking as a young person with lived experience, with clarity, conviction, and moral force.
But his message reaches far beyond youth participation.
Nothing about us without us expresses a principle of democratic participation.
It reminds us that persons with disabilities should be present from the beginning as leaders, experts, advocates, and decision makers shaping the policies and decisions that affect their lives.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the convention, this is the work before us to turn legal recognition into lived reality.
To close the gap between commitment and implementation, and to build societies in which persons with disabilities can live independently, participate fully and enjoy their rights on an equal basis with others.
I thank you.
I thank Miss Sophia Borges, chef de cabinet, for delivering the statement on behalf of the president of the General Assembly.
We feel grateful for the Pga's long term commitment, leadership and support to the conference.
Distinguished delegates.
I now kindly invite Miss Mian Kim, chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, to proceed to the rostrum to make a statement.
His Excellency the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka.
President of the 19th Conference of State Parties.
Excellencies.
Vice president of the brew of the conference.
Your Excellency.
Secretary general of the United Nations.
Mrs.
Sophia Borges, Chief Cabinet distinguished delegation.
Delegates.
Representatives of state party to the convention.
Fellow committee members.
Ladies and gentlemen, I recognize the honor and profound responsibility to address participants of this conference as the chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
20 years ago, the world made a conscious decision to redefine dignity by recognizing our rights and fundamental freedoms for persons with disabilities.
The convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities affirmed that persons with disabilities are equal members of humanity, rights holders, leaders, and able to make decisions about their own lives The convention also made the participation critical through close consultation and active involvement in public decision making.
Our communities, local governments, federal and national governments, parliaments and assemblies are to make participation of persons with disabilities a requirement of any decision intended to be used to meet removing persons with disabilities from public life through institutionalization and segregation is not an accepted practice anymore.
Removing barriers invading the exercise of rights is what the convention requires in advancing disability rights.
The convention Advanced Humanity Distinguished delegates.
This year we marked 20 years of the convention, an international agreement that changes history.
We are here to reflect, evaluate and plan the future together.
Encouraging shifts are on the way.
Disability is no longer solely a matter of social welfare or health, including increasingly shaped education and employment climate policy development, humanitarian response, peace building and post-conflict recovery.
Decision coherent with the convention.
Make it possible for persons with disabilities to move from the margins to the center.
What happened in the next years will depend on our cooperation, solidarity and knowledge.
Persons with disability expect to regain the central role in advancing their rights.
They expect partnership and earnest actions toward the promise set in the CLP.
Our dialogue during this conference must allow us to reach agreement and ensure those people with disabilities are the ones who define the priority for advancing the convention.
The sustained action is taken to end all systemic, structural and interpersonal forms of violence against persons with disabilities.
That discrimination and violence are no longer accepted, tolerated or justified by outdated policies of protectionism that support systems of persons centers in the community, and the integrity and dignity of persons with disabilities.
Drive and support services.
Our world is being driven to conflict, climate crisis, economic instability.
Those depending on inequalities, poverty, political polarization and democratic backsliding.
Weather and climate disasters take a heavy toll on persons with disabilities.
However, what happened in the next few years will depend on our cooperation, solidarity and courage.
Distinguished delegates on path of implementation teach us some lessons.
Recognition and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Strengthening democracy, resilience, peace and development.
Persons with disabilities should be considered at the same time, not at the periphery of development framework.
About 2030 climate actions, AI, governance and future social agendas.
Technological transformation, technology governance and artificial intelligence are opportunities.
If accessibility is a condition in the design and use the technology.
If disabilities.
Stigma is tackled in society.
Innovation with inclusion advance us all.
Power, technology and opportunity must belong to everyone.
Implementing the convention requires cooperation and joint effort.
National implementation frameworks, independent monitoring mechanisms, national human rights institutions, organization of persons with disabilities, and other civil society organizations are all essential.
Committee close to Liberal experience.
Open.
Provide the solution we need international cooperation.
Continue to be obligation, responsibility and practice.
It is now fulfilled by affirming rights alone.
International cooperation encompasses knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, human solidarity and financial resources.
All of these must work together to ensure that the rights recognized in the cRPD become a reality in the daily lives of persons with disabilities, the United Nations carried a particular responsibility, accessibility, participation and the rights of persons with disabilities should be embedded in its functioning.
The organization should ensure multilateral forums, human rights, mechanism development and peace and security efforts continue to offer the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
It should also ensure that human, technical and financial resources and directed toward the implementation of those rights.
The future requires stronger coordination, sustained financing, robust implementation support, and capacity building.
The time has come for state party to build a community of shared responsibility, including shared financial responsibility so that Clpd implementation is supported not only by principles, but also by the resources required to make right real.
The international community should begin serious discussion on global structure to support the implementation of dignity, rights, long term financing, institutional support system and the implementation mechanism.
Rights without implementation remain.
Promise implementation without coverage cannot succeed Neither ensure that Cosby 19 become another turning point where international cooperation is stronger, where implementation is deeper, where disability rights and inclusion become permanent, and where dignity is never negotiable.
Thank you so much.
I thank Miss Mian Kim, chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, for the statement Now, I will kindly invite Miss Heba Hagras, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, to approach the podium and deliver her statement.
Mr.
president, Secretary General, excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is an honor to address this 19th session of the Conference of State Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
Nearly two decades after the adoption of the convention, we can recognize important progress.
Disability rights has firmly anchored within international human rights frameworks and in many countries, legal and policy reforms have advanced inclusion.
Persons with disabilities are increasingly increasingly visible to.
And advocates and leaders.
Two areas of progress stands out in particular.
First, the recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in public life has significantly strengthened across regions.
We see greater efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities are ahead and heard and engaged.
Second, there has been important advancement in the recognition of legal capacity.
An increasing number of states are beginning to move away from substitute decision making towards supported decision making frameworks, while implementation remains at an early stage.
This shift is transformative in advancing autonomy, dignity and equality.
Yet progress remains uneven and incomplete across all regions.
Persons with disabilities continues to face structural barriers in accessing education employment, healthcare, justice and digital technologies.
These barriers reflect persistent exclusion from decision making processes and from the system that shapes society.
Participation and legal capacity are deeply interconnected.
Without legal capacity, meaningful participation cannot be realized, and without participation, legal reforms risk remaining theoretical.
Participation must not be symbolic.
It must translate into real influence over decisions.
Political participation.
One of the key themes of this sessions is central persons with disabilities must not only be consulted on disability specific issues, but must be able to shape all areas of public policies as equal members of society.
This requires removing barriers to voting representation and public office, and actively supporting leadership pathways.
We must also address the issue of violence.
Persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, face disproportionate levels of violence, abuse and exploitation, often in situations of dependency.
Addressing this requires stronger protections, access to justice and full respect for legal capacity.
Current support systems are equally critical as states move away from institutional models, it is essential to ensure that support frameworks enable autonomy, independent living and respect for the will and preference of persons with disabilities.
Excellencies, we are operating in a rapidly changing global context.
Climate change, conflict and technological transformations are reshaping our societies.
If inclusion is not built into these processes from the outset inequality will deepen and new forms of exclusion will emerge.
Looking ahead, the priority is clear implementation.
The challenge before us is no longer one of standards, but of political will, investment and accountability.
It requires strengthening inclusive systems supporting organisations of persons with disabilities and ensuring that commitment lead to measurable change.
This also requires a shift from viewing persons with disabilities as beneficiaries of political.
To recognizing them as right holders, decision makers and partners.
In my role as a Special Rapporteur, I remain committed to supporting efforts grounded in human rights and the leadership of persons with disabilities.
Let us all ensure that the next phase of implementation is defined by shared power.
Effective participation and tangible progress.
Thank you.
I thank Mr.
Grass, the Special rapporteur, for her statement.
And now I invite Mr.
Santosh Kumar Roongta, Civil society representative from the World Blind Union, to deliver his statement.
Mr.
president, His Excellency, Honourable Secretary General, UN Excellencies, distinguished delegates and civil society colleagues, I am deeply honoured to speak on behalf of civil society.
When we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, our landmark convention transforms transformed disability from an issue of charity into a matter of human rights, dignity, equality and justice.
It is a moment not only for celebration but also for reflection.
Over the past two decades, the convention has driven significant progress through disability specific laws, policies, institutions and programs.
However, the disability specific policies and programmes have yet to be integrated into mainstream legislation, policies and protocols regulating built infrastructure, communication systems, public services resulting into continued discrimination and exclusion.
Civil society highlighted during yesterday's roundtable that as a result of policy gaps weak implementation and enforcement monitoring, and inadequate budgetary support, we still continue to face inaccessible infrastructure, involuntary committal, compulsory treatment, deprivation of legal capacity, institutionalization and denial of basic services to many persons with disabilities are still excluded from schools, workplaces, transport systems, health care, digital platforms, justice mechanisms and decision making processes.
Women and indigenous persons with disabilities continue to face exploitation, abuse and violence.
Excellencies accessibility remains one of the most essential foundations for inclusion, equality and participation.
Yet too often it is treated as optional rather than recognised as a fundamental human right.
At a time of increasing armed conflicts, humanitarian crisis and natural disaster, emergency policies and response systems still fail to incorporate accessibility requirements.
Living persons with disabilities among the most vulnerable.
Accessibility must therefore be comprehensive, intersectional and responsive to diversity for blind and deaf blind persons, Braille literacy remains indispensable for education, employment, and independent living.
For deaf persons, deaf persons require accessible communication systems, including options for sign language and captioning.
Persons with intellectual disabilities require support systems that respect autonomy, dignity, legal capacity and community inclusion.
Persons with psychosocial disabilities require an end to stigma, stigma and lack of recognition of equal legal personhood.
Personhood.
While technology has created new opportunities, the digital divide is becoming a new form of exclusion.
We must also recognise that technology is important but cannot replace human support systems.
Growing economic pressures are also shifting priorities away from social inclusion toward economic viability.
Making accessible infrastructure, infrastructure, assistive technologies, inclusive education and support services unaffordable or unavailable for many persons with disabilities.
Civil society also noted with concern the impact of austerity measures in UN systems as a part of UN reforms, which may result into weakening the process of inclusion at UN level.
We therefore urge Member States to take the following decisive action.
First, integrate accessibility, reasonable accommodation, non-discrimination and universal design into all laws, policies, infrastructure, technology and mainstream services.
Second, repeal or amend all laws, policies and practices practices that deny legal capacity or permit involuntary committal, compulsory treatment and institutionalization of persons with disabilities.
Third, allocate adequate financial resources to ensure accessibility and support systems without imposing additional burden on persons with disabilities.
Fourth, strengthen social protection system and community based support services necessary for independent living and full participation in society.
Fifth ensure the meaningful social political participation and their representation at all levels of governance.
Sixth, strengthen laws and policies to protect women, children, indigenous persons, refugees, older persons, persons with psychosocial disabilities and persons with intellectual disabilities from violence, abuse, exploitation and exclusion.
And finally, ensure effective participation and leadership of organisations of persons with disabilities in the development, implementation and monitoring of all laws, policies and programmes.
Excellencies, as we enter the third decade of the convention, let us move beyond symbolic commitments towards transformative implementation.
Let us build a society where accessibility is embedded by design, where inclusion is recognised not as charity, but as justice, and where persons with disabilities are respected as equal citizens and valued contributors to the society.
The true measure of our commitment will not be the declarations we adopt here, but whether persons with disabilities everywhere can live independently, participate equally and enjoy their rights with dignity, freedom and safety.
Let this conference renew our collective resolve to create a world where no person with disability remains in invisible, unheard, excluded or left behind.
In the implementation of 2030 development agenda.
Thank you very much.
I thank Mr.
Santosh Kumar, Roongta Civil Society representative, for his statement.
And now I invite Miss Nishani de Silva, Youth Representative from Sri Lanka, to address the conference.
Good morning, excellencies.
Ah ah ah ah ah.
Honorable delegates, ladies and gentlemen I, I want, I am new shiny silver.
I stand before you as a Sri Lankan, a teacher, a designer and a motivational speaker, and a person with down syndrome.
I am here to talk about what the convention has achieved and what still remains to be done.
20 years ago, thus taught the world that we are not objects of charity or pity.
We too have rights.
We have dignity, needs and dreams.
We can be useful citizens.
I am living proof of what the convention made possible.
My journey to this stage was not easy.
Millions of people with disabilities faces struggles every day.
When I was small, I faced many medical issues.
I needed major surgeries.
This was done in different countries as those facilities were not available in my country at that time.
When when it was time for school, many schools rejected me.
They don't know how to handle someone like me, but a group of amazing people gave me a chance and I was accepted into a leading school in Colombo.
I studied in an inclusive setting, in a normal classroom with a wonderful group of friends.
I was able to sit for public exams.
The government provided a scribe and other facilities and I proudly pass my exams.
Next, I wanted to work.
I was m I'm sorry m employed as a teacher by my own school.
I have been teaching art and crafts to students in grade two and three for the last seven years.
My students see past my disability.
I am simply their teacher.
Getting here was not easy.
I was given the chance and I took it.
My desires were modeled as the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Colombo.
I have also modeled at fashion shows in Colombo.
I am invited to speak at events in different places.
I have received many awards, including the Most Outstanding Woman of the year and the Inspirational and Courageous Woman of the year .
And.
And today I stand here before you.
This is what cRPD looks like when he leaves the paper.
These are not just personal milestones, but proof of the theorem.
In practice, Sri Lanka, like other member states, has taken important steps to protect persons with disabilities such as inclusive education policies, social protection programs, providing assistive devices, and vocational and rehabilitation programs.
But there are still gaps between policy and reality.
So as we look to the future, I ask member states for three things implement.
Give every policy a budget, a timeline, a theme, and closely monitor it.
Invest.
It was access.
It would take a personal support that makes us become independent.
And since society include not as charity, but as strategy, nothing about us without us excellences, inclusion and inequality a lot.
Follow my dreams and be myself.
Sir, I'm.
The cRPD is not just a document.
It is a promise.
A promise that every person, regardless of their disability, can live with dignity, independence and respect.
Thank you for 20 years of progress, but there are many more who are still waiting for their opportunities.
They are waiting for the promise to be fulfilled, not by chance or luck, but by right.
Let us.
Let us ensure the next generation will grow in a world that is ready and willing to accept and include them as they are.
Thank you and may God bless you all.
I thank Miss Nielsen de Silva, Youth Representative from Sri Lanka, for her statement.
We have now reached the end of our opening session.
Distinguished delegates, I wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to His Excellency Antonio Guterres Secretary General of the United Nations, and all our distinguished speakers for their statements delivered at this opening session.
I kindly request all delegates to please stay in your seats as we take a moment to facilitate Secretary General's departure.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Thank you.
Welcome I wish, I wish I sent an email to the.
I know I saw.
The and I learned.
So I know it's time.
We just learned so.
But if we are to do that, then we need to acknowledge that there is already a matter.
I invite.
Dear colleagues.
Now we will proceed with the next items in the agenda and with regard to the next item in the agenda.
Item number three on the Organization of Work is the NGO accreditation for exigencies of the situation and the time limitations that we do encounter, we would defer that agenda item, and then I will proceed to.
The.
I will invite the Secretary to make announcements concerning official documents, accessibility and other practical arrangements for the conference.
Thank you.
Chair.
Distinguished delegates, Secretary, would like to make the following announcement.
First, general information about the conference, including relevant practical arrangement in order to support the full participation by delegates and all other participants.
The Secretary publishes and updates online at UN enabled website www.1.org/disabilities with relevant information, including logistics and other practical arrangement details like the cost programme in an easy to read format and also information notes for participants.
Among other things, delegates can kindly invited to consult this website for relevant and update announcement about this conference.
In the terms of a the documentation we have for official documents code crpd slash cs slash 2026 1234, including the agenda and three background notes for three thematic round table discussions.
These documents have been issued in six UN official languages and are available in the UN.
The above mentioned website, United Nations and the Secretariat for this conference committed to promoting accessibility and inclusion in collaboration with Dgcim and other UN offices, we worked to meet accessibility requirements of delegates and observers with disability to facilitate their participation.
Based on the requests we have received, accessibility arrangements and reasonable accommodation are made accordingly.
For example, modification of seats in this room and also in the conference room for from tomorrow.
International sign language interpretation.
Closed caption subtitling are made available are available during this session.
Also, a certain number of copies of four official documents are also prepared in Braille large print format.
In order to meet the specific needs of delegates who already notified us of their specific needs.
Delegation who are requested in advance but not yet received your copy of official documents in Braille.
Large print.
Please claim your copy from the desk of document located in the back area of this venue.
All those others who need this kind of accommodation but not yet notified the Secretary before the deadline, please kindly visit the UN Accessibility Centre any time during this session to make your ad hoc requests, for example, producing Braille copies on demand.
The UN Accessibility Centre, located in the same floor of the conference four, will assist as much as they can Thank you very much.
Attention.
Thank you chair.
Thank you.
And we will now proceed to agenda item number four.
Election of nine.
Members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
Distinguished delegates.
We will now proceed with agenda item number four.
Election of the members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
In accordance with article 34 of the convention.
This is an election to replace those nine members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, whose terms are due to expire on 31st December 2026.
The nine members, whose terms are due to expire on 31st December 2026, are the following.
Mr.
Muhannad Saleh, Al Aziz Jordan and Miss Rehab Wallace, Kuwait.
Miss Amelia Gamma Rios from Mexico, miss Lavinia Jacobs, Canada.
Miss Rosemary Keyes, Australia, miss Mayen Kim, Republic of Korea.
Mr..
Alfred Kwadwo.
Kwasi.
Ivory.
Coast.
Mr..
Miss.
Gertrude Ofori Ifeoma, Ghana, and Mr.
Markus Schafer, Switzerland.
I wish to draw your attention to certain provisions contained in article 34 of the convention.
Article 34, paragraph five provides that the members of the Committee shall be elected by secret ballot from a list of persons nominated by the States parties from among their nationals at meetings of the Conference of State parties.
At those meetings for which two thirds of States parties shall constitute a quorum, the persons elected to the Committee shall be those who obtain the largest number of votes, and an absolute majority of the votes of the representatives of States parties present and voting.
Article 34, paragraph four, provides that I quote the members of the Committee shall be elected by States parties.
Consideration being given to equitable geographical distribution.
Representation of the different.
Different forms of civilization, a civilization and of the principal legal systems.
Balanced gender representation and participation of experts with disabilities.
Close quote article 34, paragraph three provides as follows.
I quote the members of the committee shall serve in their personal capacity, and shall be of high moral standing and recognized competence and experience in the field covered by the present convention.
Close quote States parties are also encouraged when nominating candidates to give due consideration to the provision in article four, paragraph three, using urging state parties to closely consult with and actively involved persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organizations, in matters related to the implementation of the convention.
The election will be conducted in accordance with article 34 of the Convention and Rules 17, 18 and 19 of the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of States Parties in accordance with article 34, paragraph six of the convention.
The Secretary General, in a note Verbale, dated 3rd December 2025, invited the state parties to the convention to submit their nominations for membership of the committee before 3rd February 2026.
The deadline for nominations has subsequently been further extended to 3rd April 2026, in accordance with article 34, paragraph six of the convention, the Secretary General transmitted to the States parties a list in alphabetical order of 17 persons thus nominated before 3rd April, including their biographical details in conference document number crpd slash csp slash 2026 slash crp dot one dot through its note Verbale dated 5th May 2026 the Government of Iran informed of the withdrawal of the nomination for Mr.
Hossein.
Now when through its note Verbale dated 15th May 2026, the Government of Ghana informed of the withdrawal of the nomination for Miss Yono Kumar Yakubu Dogara.
Are there any further nominations or withdrawals? If there are no further nominations or withdrawals, we shall proceed with the election on the basis of the following 15 candidates.
Mr.
Muhannad al-Aziz of Jordan, Mr.
Jian Chang, People's Republic of China, Mr.
Rigby Gabriel Vargas of Ethiopia, Miss Fatuma Wangari Haji of Kenya, Mr.
Moshe Hoffman of Armenia, Miss Deauville, UK of Lithuania.
Miss Liza Karliova of Kazakhstan, Mr.
Alfred Kwadwo Kwasi of Ivory Coast, Mr.
Karim Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Mr.
Abdul Rahman of Benin.
Miss Mary Ruddell of France, Miss Vilani Raymond SA of Palau Mr.
Omarosa Sidhu Noav of Niger, Mr.
Robert Mukasa Swagger of Uganda and Mr.
Miss Fortino, Uttama Prabhu of Samoa I have been informed that the following persons have volunteered to act as tellers.
I will ask them to approach the podium once the ballots have been distributed.
That is Miss Petra Kapranova of Permanent Mission of Chechnya, Mr.
Frederick Wynne Bosin permanent mission of Denmark.
Mr.
Abiba bin Rashid, permanent mission of Malaysia.
Miss Selina Rubio, Permanent Mission of Dominican Republic, and Mr.
Jonathan Passmore, permanent Mission of South Africa.
The Conference of Conference Officers will now distribute the ballot papers.
Representatives are kindly requested to place an X at the left hand side of the name of the candidates they wish to be elected.
Ballot papers will be considered valid only if they contain votes for nine candidates or less.
Ballot papers with votes for more than nine candidates will be considered invalid.
Blank ballot papers will be considered abstentions if a ballot contains any notation other than votes in favor of specific candidates whose names appear on the ballot paper, those notations will be disregarded.
Please proceed to cast your vote.
May I now ask the tellers to approach the podium? The conference officers will now show that the ballot boxes are empty.
If all delegates are ready.
The conference officers, accompanied by tellers, will now collect the ballot papers.
You have.
May I know whether all the representatives handed in their ballot papers? If there are any representatives that who have not handed over their ballot papers or who have missed, then I will give an opportunity for them to hand in their ballot papers now.
And if there are none, then voting is now closed.
No ballot papers will be accepted.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the tellers and members of the Secretariat will now withdraw to count the votes To make the best use of our time and conference services for the meeting.
While the ballots are counted, we shall now immediately move on to the agenda item.
In relation to NGO accreditation.
In accordance with rule 25, paragraph five.
C of the Rules of Procedure of the conference, see D slash csp slash 2000 and 8/3.
A list of 13 non-governmental organisations requesting accreditation was circulated on 8th May 2026 to all States parties for approval by consensus and stipulated deadline of 3rd June 2026 for Commence was also communicated to states parties of all five regional groups through five members of the Bureau of the conference.
Rule 25, paragraph five states that I quote representatives of accredited non-governmental organisations may participate as observers in the deliberations of the conference.
Accreditation shall be granted to a non-governmental organizations in Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.
B non-governmental organizations previously accredited to ad hoc Committee on a comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with disabilities.
C other non-governmental organizations, subject to the approval of the conference by consensus.
Close quote.
Given that an objection has now been raised regarding the application of NGO number eight with the organization's title reads Full Life Inclusive Society Promotion, Non-Governmental organization, Close Quote.
The Conference of State Parties will first proceed to adopt a decision on the granting of accreditation to the NGOs, to which no objections were raised, and then will proceed to take action on the application from the NGO to which objection was raised, namely, full life, full life inclusive society promotion, non-governmental organization.
May I take it that the Conference of States Parties wishes to Grant accreditation to the 12 applications of NGOs to which no objections have been raised.
I hear no objection.
It is so decided.
In view of the several representations that the Secretariat and the Bureau had received in relation to the objection that is raised in relation to the organisation named Full Life Inclusive Society promotion non-governmental organisation.
The process in relation to the granting of accreditation to this particular non-governmental organisation would be deferred due to exigencies of situation and we will straightaway move to.
Agenda item.
Five, which is the general debate, and return to the elections item when we have the results for the first ballot, and also the item in relation to the accreditation of the non-governmental organisation that I named before.
Colleagues.
Inscription to the general debate was initially announced during the informal briefing on the preparations of the conference on 13th May.
An announcement on the general debate was accordingly placed in the cost website, which is linked to the UN Journal.
The speakers list was opened for inscription via the delegate portal on 18th May 2026.
Colleagues.
I would like to draw your kind attention to the rule for speaking time limits.
That is three minutes for a national statement and five minutes for joint statement on behalf of a group of states, and one extra minute will be allocated for those speakers with disabilities who notified the Secretariat in advance about their specific needs for reasonable accommodation.
This rule is anticipated in the guidance note for the general debate that has been communicated with all delegations, a copy of this guidance note has been shared broadly with all Member States via bureau members, representing five regional groups repeatedly in March, April and May, well in advance of the opening of the session.
Furthermore, notably, a copy of the final version of the guidance notes was introduced by president of the conference during his informal briefing held on 13th May and is also published online in the devoted COVID-19 website, which is linked to the UN Journal.
The bureau has tasked president to enforce this rule robustly, to manage the time in my capacity as the president of the conference, I kindly call upon all speakers for your cooperation by strictly observing these rules, especially the speaking time limits.
By abiding to the time limit, you will collectively contribute to safeguarding the substantive character of the conference.
Distinguished delegations.
For this purpose, a technical mechanism is being put in place for this meeting.
All speakers are therefore kindly suggested to try wrapping up your statement before the end of your allocated speaking time limit, or the speakers microphone will be cut off automatically.
As announced earlier, delegations can and are encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity to post a full text of their statements by emailing to e [email protected].
This means that all you have prepared will not be missed, as you have full text will be able to be shared in its entirety on entirely on entirety online.
Please be assured that the official report of the 19th session of the conference will also recognise your written statement when it is published in the UN Journal.
Under this agenda item.
General debate.
Finally, it.
In terms of the order of speakers, the principle first come, first served as well as applicable, UN protocols will be respected.
This means that all efforts will be made to accommodate.
First of all, those inscribed speakers at the ministerial level or above.
Following the long tradition and practice of our conference and considering the importance of hearing the voices and contributions from stakeholders, especially representative organisations of persons with disabilities.
The Bureau agreed that after every three state party spoke, we will invite one representative from accredited NGO, one UN entity and one national human rights institutions to take the floor, and this shall continue in between every three Member States.
Excellencies.
Distinguished delegates.
We are glad that so far we have received a list of over 200 inscriptions intending to making contributions under the general debate.
This is the highest number of inscriptions in our history of the conference.
In order to accommodate speakers as many as possible at the Bureau, we have decided that in addition to all time, we will have.
For today we will take one hour or more, if necessary, from each and all for meetings in next two days, as contingency arrangements to continue the general debate.
However, I am afraid with all these efforts, there will still a possibility whereby some last minute requests might not be able to have a chance to speak during this session, simply because the time available for our session may not be enough for us to exhaust the long list For that, the Bureau would kindly request full understanding from delegations and strongly invite them to please consider submit a copy of their full statement to each statements at UN org for publishing in the UN Journal.
Excellencies.
Distinguished delegates.
With this, I would like to recognize the first on the list of speakers, and I kindly invite His Excellency Tulsi Lada, Deputy Prime Minister of Kingdom of Eswatini, Eswatini, to deliver statement for three minutes.
Excellency, you have the floor.
Mr.
president, distinguished delegates, the Kingdom of Eswatini is honoured to address this 19th session of the Conference of State Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the full and effective implementation of this convention, guided by the principles of human dignity, equality, accessibility and non-discrimination.
We continue to move with purpose from policy to practice, transforming commitments into tangible, people centred actions that improves the lives of persons with disabilities across our nation.
We have adopted a holistic and deliberate approach to disability inclusion.
We are strengthening social protection expanding community based support systems, promoting accessible services and advancing economic empowerment.
In this regard, Eswatini continues to promote the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities through employment opportunities across multiple sectors of the economy We further recognise the importance of cultural participation as a fundamental human right, that they must have equal opportunities to participate in cultural activities, traditional events, sports, creative industries, music, dance and arts.
With the support of the United Nations agencies, Eswatini has developed Accosted National Disability Plan of Action of 2024 2028 that embeds disability inclusion within national development priorities and budgeting frameworks, and article 28 on inadequate standard of living and social protection.
We continue to expand social protection measures that reduce poverty, support families, and enhance the resilience and dignity of persons with disabilities.
We have also made notable strides under articles nine, 19 and 24.
While we acknowledge the progress made, we remain fully aware of the challenges that persist.
Achieving full inclusion requires sustained investment, stronger partnerships, and collective responsibility.
The progress we have made this far reflects strong political will and our collective commitment to leaving no one behind.
Let us move beyond commitments to implementation.
Let us move beyond inclusion as an aspiration to inclusion, as a lived reality.
Mr.
president, the Kingdom of Eswatini stands ready to work with all partners to accelerate progress, deepen impact and scale solutions that advance the rights.
Thank you Excellency.
For your statement.
I now kindly invite Her Excellency Aria Ali, the First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, to deliver statement.
Mr.
president, excellencies, distinguished delegates 20 years after the adoption of the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, we are provided with an opportunity to reflect on the progress and the work still to be done.
The adoption of the convention marked a transformative step forward, driving efforts to dismantle institutional and societal barriers and empower persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in society.
In Guyana, the principles of the convention continue to guide national efforts to create a more inclusive society through legislative reforms, policy development and targeted programmes.
Guyana has adopted a multifaceted approach to ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy equal treatment, expanded opportunities and greater participation in normal life.
Guyana continues to expand its financial support for persons with disabilities.
This includes increases in the Permanent Disability Grant, which beneficiaries receive for life, monthly public assistance and periodic cash grants.
Additionally, we continue to invest in initiatives to improve workforce participation and financial inclusion, such as skills development programmes, zero interest financing and public private partnerships which create pathways for employment and entrepreneurship.
The Business Centre for Persons with disabilities was established last year and offers specialised skills development, training and employment for persons with disabilities.
This centre currently employs more than 100 persons with disabilities.
In 2025, we opened the country's first school that offers specialized services for children with hearing impairments.
This year, we will establish Guyana's first specialised school for children with autism.
Mr.
president, while these achievements are encouraging, significant challenges remain not only in Guyana but across many countries.
Developing countries require enhanced access to modern disability support technologies to ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from the latest developments in innovation and rehabilitation.
Guyana looks forward to the continued implementation of the convention, being underscored by stronger partnerships and collaboration amongst governments.
Persons with disabilities, international organisations and technology stakeholders, I thank you.
Thank you, Excellency, for your statement and I now invite Her Excellency, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland to deliver the statement.
Mr.
president, excellencies, commitment to human rights is measured not only in laws, but in whether every person can live with dignity, make choices communicate, participate, and be safe.
This is the promise of the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
Last year, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities reviewed Finland for the first time.
We welcome the recommendations received and look forward to their implementation.
We have also started a state led truth and reconciliation process with deaf and sign language communities to examine past and present injustices and to build a more equal future.
Mr.
president, it's necessary to speak about the disability rights in peace, security and crisis response in armed conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Persons with disabilities are too often left behind when evacuation is inaccessible, when warnings are not communicated accessibly, when services collapse or when support networks are lost.
The landmark Security Council Resolution 2475 in 2019 recognised the protection of persons with disabilities in armed conflict, but also highlighted their role in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building.
Finland wants to continue this discussion tomorrow in our side event titled Sustainable Peace is Inclusive.
Persons with disabilities as contributors to peace processes.
As Finland seeks a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2930.
We carry this conviction with us, fostering social cohesion and sustained peaceful coexistence requires inclusion of all sections of society.
Mr.
president, I thank Secretary-General Guterres and Deputy Secretary-General Mohamed for advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.
Finland highly values this work and strongly encourages its continuation with their leadership.
The UN Disability Inclusion Strategy has remarkably advanced disability inclusion across the UN system.
This progress must be secured by making this a permanent part of UN structures as recommended in Secretary General's report last autumn and funded from the regular budget.
The ongoing UN reform process is an opportunity for better.
UN system and disability inclusion must remain at its core.
I thank you I thank Your Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, as per the decision of the Bureau, I now recognize and invite the representative from International Disability Alliance to make a statement from the designated seat for NGOs speakers.
20 years after the adoption of the convention, we can point to important achievements.
Disability rights are now firmly established within the International Human Rights Framework.
More countries have adopted legislation.
Institutions have become more accessible and organisations of persons with disabilities have strengthened their role in public life.
Yet we gather today at a time of profound uncertainty and growing challenges around the world.
Persons with disability are paying a disproportionate price for armed conflicts, humanitarian crisis, occupation displacement, and natural disasters.
Too often, we are among the last to receive assistance and the first to be left behind in many conflict zones.
Persons with disabilities continue to face death, injury, abandonment and exclusion from humanitarian response efforts.
This piece.
At the same time, growing economic instability and reductions in development funding threaten essential services and support system upon which millions of persons with disabilities depend.
We also face the challenge of persistent inequality.
Persons with disability remain more likely to live in poverty, to be unemployed, to be excluded from education, and to encounter barriers in accessing health care, justice and political participation.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence and digital technologies presents another defining challenge of our time.
These technologies can become powerful tools for inclusion and independence, but without accessibility, accountability and the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in their design and governance, the risk creating new forms of discrimination and exclusion.
We are also witnessing increasing pressure on civil society and organizations of persons with disabilities.
Meaningful participation is not a favor granted to us.
It is a right granted by the convention Nothing about us without us remain the guiding principle of all decisions affecting our life.
That's why today we call upon states to strengthen their commitment to inclusive development, inclusive humanitarian action, accessible technology, and meaningful participation.
We call for disability inclusive implementation of the 2030 agenda and for renewed investment in the organization that represents personal visibility.
As we look forward to the future, let us remember a simple truth.
Inclusion is not a cost.
Inclusion exclusion is societies that exclude persons.
Visibility weakens themselves.
Societies that embrace diversity become stronger, more resilient, and more just.
Let Cosp 19 be remembered not only as a conference of reflection, but the conference of Renewed Political Will and Concrete action.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
I now give the speaking opportunity to National Human Rights Committee of Qatar.
You have the floor.
Side raise.
Mr.
president, ladies and gentlemen, Your Excellencies, I'm honored to speak to you today on behalf of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar.
At a time where we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, this convention was an international turning point.
We moved from support to rights.
The main challenge today is not to recognize the rights simply, but ensure the implementation of those rights in the everyday lives of people with disability.
Over the past years, we have seen important achievements, namely enhancing legal frameworks, expanding opportunities for deployment, employment and education, making services accessible and raising awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities in societies.
National Human Rights Organization play a critical role to ensure the full implementation of the convention through ensuring the alignment between legislations, national legislations and the convention.
Also monitoring implementation, recognizing challenges and promoting the culture of empowerment.
We also believe that the full implementation of the convention cannot be achieved without the full participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in designing legislation and policies and programs that affect persons with disabilities.
We have to be guided by the principle of nothing about us without us.
This is why the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar enacted the Special Legislation on Persons with disabilities.
We participated in the discussions on the draft legislation.
We provided recommendations to ensure that it is in line with the convention, and the law was enacted in 2025.
Legislation is the first step on the long way.
This is why the National Human Rights Committee has established a unit specialized on the rights of persons with disabilities, and we launched a program for empowerment to ensure the realization of those rights and monitoring the realization of those rights in partnership with important stakeholders.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the compounded suffering of persons with disabilities in territories affected by humanitarian crises and conflicts.
Challenges are compounded challenges related to receiving protection and care and basic services, while their need increases.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the convention must be an opportunity to take stock and to renew the political will necessary to address existing gaps and to accelerate implementation.
20 years after the adoption of the convention, our collective responsibility today is to move from establishing policies and legislative.
The microphone has been cut off.
Thank you.
I now give the speaking opportunities to the WHO.
All right.
Okay.
Apologies.
I now invite His Excellency, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Palau, to deliver a group statement on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum for five minutes.
Mr.
president, excellencies, distinguished delegates, Ali, and warm greetings from the Pacific Islands.
On behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, a bloc of 18 countries and territories.
It is my honor to address this 19th session of the Conference of State Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.
As we mark 20 years since the adoption of the cRPD, our focus must not only be on celebrating achievements, but on preparing for the challenges ahead, accelerating climate impacts, technological change and growing inequality continue to shape the lives of persons with disabilities around the world and require renewed commitment from all of us.
The Pacific has made important progress in advancing disability rights.
44 members have ratified the convention, and we are currently refreshing the Pacific Framework for the Rights of Persons with disabilities to align with the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Our region continues to demonstrate leadership.
This year, the Pacific has two candidates seeking election to the cRPD committee, and in 2025 we launched the Pacific Regional Guidebook on Disability Statistics to strengthen evidence based policy making across our region for the Republic of Palau and many Pacific Island countries.
Inclusion can never be an afterthought.
Meaningful inclusion requires accessible services, sustained engagement, and policies grounded in the lived experiences of persons with disabilities and their families.
The next chapter of the convention must be measured by the opportunities we recreate for persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in society.
Despite progress, significant challenges remain.
Approximately 1.7 million people in the Pacific.
That's around 16% of our population live with a disability.
Many continue to face barriers in accessing education, employment health care, infrastructure, and social protection.
These challenges are compounded by climate change and disasters, where persons with disabilities are often among the most vulnerable.
Guided by the principle of nothing about us, without us, the Pacific Islands Forum remains committed to ensuring disability inclusion is integrated across all sectors, including climate change, action, health, education and emerging technologies.
As we say in Palau, our world and McKnight will literally translates.
We are all in this one canoe.
If we each paddle our own separate ways, we will not go anywhere or achieve anything.
But if we paddle in unison, our journey will be smooth, efficient and we can achieve our goals.
This spirit of collective action underpins our call to partners.
We therefore urge the international community to support the Pacific and three priority areas.
First, invest in Pacific capacity and institutions to strengthen implementation at the national level and support organizations of persons with disabilities.
Second, strengthen disability data and knowledge systems to ensure evidence based decision making and more effective policies.
And third, support resilience and inclusion by ensuring persons with disabilities are prioritized in disaster preparedness, health responses, and climate adaptation efforts.
Mr.
president, excellencies, the Pacific Way is grounded in dialogue, partnership and respect, and guides our efforts to advance disability inclusion as a core element of our Blue Pacific identity.
Let us ensure that COSP19 delivers meaningful outcomes that upholds rights, strengthen participation, and empower persons with disabilities across our region and around the world.
And I thank you.
Thank you, Excellency, for your statement, and I now invite Her Excellency the Minister for Disabilities of Italy to make a statement.
Thank you.
President.
Dear delegates, Italy has implemented a major disability reform which commits to reducing bureaucracy and simplifying the lives of persons with disabilities and their families through the introduction of the so-called Life Project.
We intend to overcome the fragmentation of responses between the healthcare and social sectors.
We are also promoting a new perspective.
We want everyone to see the potential in every person and not the limits, and to enhance individual skills.
In line with the cRPD and the charter, we are committed to eliminating all discrimination, recognising that this approach is an investment, not a cost.
We can do more in education, work, social sports and cultural life tourism in all aspects of daily life.
We can also invest in new technologies in artificial intelligence, ensuring they are accessible to all on an equal basis with others.
Another issue is particularly close to my heart, which Italy actively promotes with joint exercise and action protocols.
The safety of persons with disabilities in climate crisis, humanitarian emergencies and armed conflicts Unfortunately, this is an increasingly pressing issue that requires a shared commitment.
Having equal dignity and receiving adequate, adequate assistance and support are fundamental rights.
And then let's focus on the issue of self-determination.
The freedom to choose and decide is crucial for many people with intellectual disabilities.
It is still more difficult to be involved and respect.
I believe the time has come to dismantle the prejudice and discrimination that limits everyone's right to full citizenship and active life.
I conclude by reminding that there are not just visible disabilities or recognizable pathologies.
There are many persons with invisible disabilities or illness who deserve respect.
Even in a room full of people, sometimes someone can feel alone.
We must be able to make a difference with leaving no one behind.
With our action, not just our words.
By investing financial and human resources, reevaluating priorities, and promoting a new perspective.
But above all, let's unite, change, and improve the future of our countries for everyone.
Thank you.
Thank you, Excellency, for your statement, and I now invite Her Excellency, the Minister of the Social Security and Labour of Lithuania to make a statement.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Distinguished colleagues.
As we mark 20 years of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, Lithuania remains committed to putting putting its principles into practice in today's changing world.
As part of it, Lithuania nominated Miss Davila to the Committee of the Rights of Persons with disabilities and on behalf of the Lithuanian government.
I sincerely thank all those who supported her candidacy.
At home we have undertaken an ambitious disability reform over recent years.
We have fundamentally changed both disability assessment and the support system.
We are moving, moving away from institutional care to towards independent living and community based support.
The goal is clear to guarantee the rights and dignity of every person, individual support plans are now introduced and institutions have clear responsibilities.
Personal assistance is expanding rapidly.
In 2021, only nearly 600 people received this support, with funding of half million euros by 2025.
Nearly 1800 people benefited, with over than ?10 million invested, a 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities in the public sector is now in force, helping to open up the labour market.
At the same time we are strengthening accessibility.
Our legal framework increasingly reflects on universal design principles.
Without ongoing improvements in transport, infrastructure, information and inclusive education.
Lithuania remains committed to close cooperation with the Committee of the Rights of Persons with disabilities, which, with civil society and with international partners.
We are determined to continue advancing advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, not only in law but in everyday life.
I thank you.
Thank you, Your Excellency I now recognize and invite the representative from NGO, the European Disability Forum, to make the statement.
Chair, excellencies, distinguished delegates, we welcome the progress made in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities over the 20 years since the convention was adopted, and we've seen the changes possible when lawmakers listen to persons with disabilities and line reforms with human rights standards.
These 20 years have also shown that the convention alone is not enough.
We must continue to work together to turn commitments into real change through stronger laws, better policies and adequate budgets that ensure equal rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
One positive recent example is the inclusion of procedural accommodations in the European Union's Victims Rights Directive, recently revised to strengthen access to justice for persons with disabilities.
It reflects the obligation to remove barriers in legal proceedings and shows the importance of writing accessibility support and individualized measures directly into law.
At the same time, progress is being undermined by parallel developments that risk taking us backwards.
We urge caution on the ratification and implementation of the 2000 Hague Convention on the International Protection of Adults.
Until it's fully aligned with the convention, even measures described as merely technical or procedural are inconsistent with the convention.
If they enable substitute decision making, restrict legal capacity or allow cross-border recognition of systems that do not respect a person's will and preferences We also urge states not to support other aggressive measures, including the draft additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention.
These initiatives risk legitimising coercion, involuntary treatment and institutional approaches that are incompatible with the convention.
This is especially urgent for women and girls with disabilities who continue to face gender based violence and harmful practices, including forced sterilization, in violation of their rights to bodily integrity, autonomy, and free and informed consent.
Our message is clear we should recognise and build on real advances, but we must be vigilant.
States must ensure that all regional and international instruments fully respect the rights, dignity, legal capacity and autonomy of persons with disabilities.
Vigilance must also be extended to public budgets.
We urge all states parties to ensure that sufficient funding is allocated for disability inclusion measures, including accessibility, support services advocacy and self-representation, and not be used to support regressive actions such as segregation, institutionalization or inaccessible physical and digital environments.
I would like to close by thanking all the members of the UN Expert Committee who have served over these two decades, and wish the best to those standing for election today.
I would also like to honor the activists whose determination and commitment to fight for equality made this convention possible.
Thank you for your attention.
Thank you.
And I now give the speaking opportunity to Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
You have the floor.
Mr.
president, distinguished participants of the conference, the full scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has led to the most widespread crimes and violation of fundamental human rights, including the rights of persons with disability.
At the end of 2025, the number of persons with disability in Ukraine exceeded 3.4 million, including more than 231,000 children.
Over the years of Russia's full scale war against Ukraine, this figure has increased by approximately 600 000 people.
In fact, this represents almost 10% of the country's population.
These figures clearly illustrate the scale of the challenge Ukraine is facing today.
Russian aggression against our country has not only aggravated existing barriers, but has also created new daily challenges for people who have lost their hair mobility, vision or hearing, and who require long term rehabilitation and support But particular attention must be paid to veterans who have acquired disabilities.
As a result of the war, Ukraine has ratified the cRPD, and its standards must serve as the foundation for all decisions.
In this context, it is particularly important to ensure the implementation of article 11 of the convention, which concerns the protection of persons with disabilities in situations of armed conflict and humanitarian emergencies.
Unfortunately, people continue to face numerous barriers in accessible shelters, transport information, health care and social services, complex administrative procedures and unequivocal accede to rehabilitation at the community level.
Ukraine has already adopted a number of strategic documents on the shaping of the state policy regarding the protection of the rights of persons with disability, and the creation of an accessible environment.
The Commission is actively advocating for legislative amendments to entrust the Ukrainian energy rights with the function of independent monitoring mechanisms for the implementation of the provisions of the cRPD, the Ukrainian Ombudsman notes a significant increase of appeals from persons with disabilities in the third part.
First five months of 2026, nearly 3000 persons with disabilities appealed to the Office of Ombudsman four times more than in the previous year.
There was a particular increase in the number of applications for the recognition of war related disability.
Today, the main challenge for Ukraine is to rebuild the country in a way that makes it more accessible, just and humane for everyone.
Thank you for your attention.
Thank you.
And I now give the speaking opportunity to Oonops.
Thank you.
Um, excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
My name is Sarah Dwayne Johnson.
I'm representing 80 scale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, which is hosted by Oonops.
Assistive technology is addressed in multiple articles in the UN cRPD advocating the promotion of research, development, production, availability and appropriate use of assistive technology.
The world so far has failed to meet the global need, particularly in low income countries where only 10% of people have access to the assistive technology they need.
This gap is caused by multiple and persisting barriers, including lack of financing to purchase assistive products and numerous inefficiencies in the marketplace.
Another bottleneck is lack of coordination amongst ministries, which translates into a fragmented national response.
80 scale is the only partnership for assistive technology that takes a cross-sectoral, coordinated and country level approach towards sustainable systems change and market shaping in low and middle income countries, ensuring that assistive technology can be available, accessible and affordable for everyone.
In recent years, we've made significant investments in countries where the need is great and we have a footprint in over 30 countries where we seek to strengthen, enabling ecosystems to increase national capacity.
We're also advancing advancing multiple market shaping initiatives for glasses for hearing aids, wheelchairs, prosthesis, and digital assistive technology.
Just last week, we launched a technical report on assistive technology and international trade, which we will share in a side event here on Thursday.
Finally, it is crucial we continue to raise awareness of neglected this neglected issue, and we are working with partners including the International Disability Alliance, Unicef and WHO to build momentum.
Last week, we celebrated the third ever World Day for assistive technology, which has had huge uptake, and I invite you all to join next year, 4th of June for World Day for assistive technology.
So we continue to build the movement.
We are already working with many member states, and we thank you all for your support.
However, to increase to address this huge inequity, we need to do much more to increase the political will of Member States to stimulate supply and ignite demand in countries where the need is great.
Thank you for your attention.
Thank you.
And now I invite His Excellency, the Minister of Social Affairs and Housing of Iceland to deliver the statement.
Mr.
chair, distinguished delegates, it is an honor to address this conference of States parties on behalf of Iceland.
The implementation of the convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities remains a key priority to the Icelandic Government.
We are strongly committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy equal rights, full participation and meaningful inclusion in all aspects of our society.
In March of 2024, the Icelandic Parliament adopted Iceland's first comprehensive National Action Plan on Disability Affairs.
The action plan contains 60 measures designed to provide a clear vision for the future, to strengthen the mapping and evaluation of services, and support the continued advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Last year, the Icelandic Government has commenced the Icelandic human rights institution as an independent institution working directly under the Parliament.
In the autumn of 2025, a new disability pension scheme entered into force with the aim of supporting greater activity, participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities and perhaps the most importantly.
On November 12th last year, the Icelandic Parliament incorporated the convention on the Rights of People with disabilities into Domestic Law.
This marked a major milestone in strengthening the legal protection of disability rights in Iceland.
I am also pleased to announce that the Government of Iceland has completed the domestic ratification process for the Optional protocol.
These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to advancing equality, participation and human rights for persons with disabilities.
We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the states, parties, organizations of persons with disabilities and the United Nations to ensure the full implementation of the convention.
Thank you.
Thank you Excellency.
And I now invite Her Excellency, the Minister of Social Affairs and Housing of the Faroe Islands, Denmark, to deliver the statement.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to address you all on behalf of the Kingdom of Denmark.
As Minister of Social Affairs, Affairs and Housing in the Faroe Islands.
I represent a self-governing part of the Kingdom.
As we mark the 20th anniversary of the cRPD.
We have an important opportunity both to celebrate progress and reflect on the work that still lies ahead around the world.
Persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to equal participation, representation, and independent living, and therefore the convention remains as important as ever.
Human rights are not static.
They reflect the choices we make about how we organize our societies, whose voices are heard and who is included in shaping the future.
While we across the kingdom might have slightly different setups and legislation, we are united in our goals and visions We must continue to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only protected by our societies, but fully included in shaping them.
Our societies are built on close communities, trust and strong public responsibility.
We believe that progress is best achieved through cooperation, transparency and a willingness to learn and to adapt.
Let me give an example from the Faroe Islands in the development of a new children's act, roughly 700 children and young people participated included children and young people with disabilities through adapted dialogue formats and active outreach.
We worked to ensure meaningful participation and real influence on the legislative process.
This.
This reminded us that participation does not happen automatically.
Public authorities must actively create accessible spaces for dialogue.
Public authorities must strengthen cooperation with organizations of persons with disabilities to build more inclusive societies.
Mr.
chair, we remain committed to building strong and inclusive societies where persons with disabilities can participate equally, can have their voices heard and live with dignity.
Thank you.
Thank you, Excellency, and may I now invite Her Excellency Minister of State of Ireland, to deliver the statement.
Thank you very much, chair.
It's an absolute privilege to be here today on the 20th anniversary of the UN cRPD, to not just reflect on the progress of the last 20 years, but to play a part in building on that progress, to deliver a more inclusive world.
In Ireland, disability is a core priority for us.
That's why we now have a disability unit at the heart of our government, in the office of an Taoiseach, our Prime Minister.
It's why we have a cabinet committee on disability to ensure that disability isn't just a priority for me as Minister of State with disability, but that it's a priority for every minister in every department across government.
And it's why last year we increased our funding for disability by a record 20%.
But most importantly, it's why in September, we launched our first ever national human rights strategy for disabled people, our blueprint for continuing the implementation of the UN cRPD.
And what's most important about that strategy is the fact that it was co-designed by people with disabilities, by their representative organisations and civil society, because we know that lived experience needs to be at the heart of any strategy if it is to be truly inclusive, truly effective, and if it is to be able to truly bring to life the mission statement.
Nothing about us without us.
A key focus of our strategy is delivering a new vision, a new vision for specialist disability supports and services for 2030.
A vision that puts people firmly at the centre of decision making.
And that means enabling everyone to participate fully through collaborations with the WHO.
We're advancing digital and assistive technologies for disabled people both at home and abroad, and that will be a key focus for us during our upcoming EU presidency.
And we fully align with the EU statement if elected to the UN Human Rights Council later this year, we will be prioritising the rights of persons with disabilities in areas of conflict and to underpin that commitment, I am today announcing that Ireland is increasing its funding to the Global Disability Fund, and we will specifically ring fence funding to strengthen disability inclusion at UN level in Ukraine, in Palestine and in Sudan.
We are living in a changing world, a world with unprecedented levels of conflict.
And at this critical time, diplomacy and democracy has never been more important.
And at this critical time, Ireland is proudly stepping up to champion the values that underpin the UN and the UN cRPD Thank you Excellency, and I now recognise and invite the representative from Inclusion International to make a statement from the designated seat for NGO speakers.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Excellencies, colleagues, advocates and allies.
I am Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International and a mother.
Inclusion international is the global network of national organizations of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families.
We were present during the cRPD negotiations and admirably led by our member Sir Robert Martin of New Zealand, who became the first person with intellectual disability elected to the cRPD committee.
Self-advocates, who took part in those discussions, told us no one should control our lives.
Our families are an important part of who we are.
We should be able to go to school with other children.
Institutions must close.
Everyone should live in the community.
Our poverty affects not only us, but also our families and our friends.
We are mindful, too, that the family is the fundamental group unit of society and is thus foundational to the social model of disability.
20 years later, we can recognize important progress.
More countries have reformed their laws to recognize the legal capacity of persons with disabilities and with intellectual disabilities.
Family based organizations are increasingly recognized alongside organizations of persons with disabilities, and are able to contribute to policy discussions.
Inclusive education is widely recognized as the model that governments should implement.
Not think about, not plan for, not someday, but implement.
Those children are growing up being segregated.
It's not right.
International guidelines on deinstitutionalization have been developed, and resources have been dedicated to closing institutions, actually closing the institutions.
Social protection programs are becoming more disability inclusive and more persons with intellectual disabilities are working now in inclusive settings.
These achievements matter.
They demonstrate the transformative power of this convention.
Yet the reality for millions of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families remains far from the vision of the cRPD and many countries.
Guardianship and substitute decision making systems continue to deny people control over their own lives.
Families remain the primary source of support across the world in every country, but too often they are undervalued and under-supported.
Children with intellectual disabilities are still.
I thank you for this statement and I now give the speaking opportunity to Australian Human Rights Commission.
You have the floor.
Thank you, President Excellencies and distinguished delegates.
I'm honored to be here on behalf of Australia's.
A status national human rights institution to celebrate and reflect on 20 years of the cRPD The world is changing, but human rights are inherent.
The cRPD provides us with a framework and a roadmap for equality that can meet modern day challenges and transform society.
Government and media discourse about disability supports are placing stronger emphasis on financial consideration than on human rights, reinforcing an ableist framing of persons with disabilities as a cost pressure to be managed, rather than as people who have rights and who are entitled to equality and participation.
It's encouraging to see that other treaty bodies are calling on governments to reassess their parameters for investment in human rights to meet the demands of our modern world.
For example, in its 2026 Periodic review under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Australia received a recommendation to review its fiscal policies with the aim to increase and safeguard resources for the realization of rights into the future.
Protections in law are one way to implement human rights obligation, but laws are live documents and law reform must keep pace as the world around us changes.
And with it, so too our understanding of the varied forms that prejudice and discrimination can take.
Human rights are not well protected in Australia.
There is no national charter of rights.
Therefore few judicial pathways for remedy when rights are diminished or infringed upon.
Disability discrimination law, as a pillar of any human rights legal framework should include the right settings, such as positive obligations to proactively eliminate barriers for the participation of persons with disabilities in public life.
Implementation benefits from robust monitoring supported by human rights indicators, benchmarks and frameworks.
Independent monitoring mechanisms known as IMS are critical to the domestic infrastructure driving the implementation of the cRPD.
Yet Australia lacks a formally designated Im.
The role of IMS domestically, regionally and internationally is likely to grow in the face of threats to the multilateral system and in response to increasing delays of up to 20 years between a country's treaty body reviews, continuous dialogues between governments, nhris Im and persons with disabilities should continue to inform policy and decision making.
We've seen how useful the cRPD has been to support persons with disabilities to claim their rights.
20 years on, we know what needs to be done and we encourage states to implement in full cRPD obligations in law and in practice.
Thank you.
I thank you, distinguished delegates.
I now return to item number four on the agenda the elections.
I will now announce the results of the first ballot number of ballots cast 192.
Number of invalid ballots one.
Number of valid ballots 191.
Abstentions.
Zero.
Number of representatives present and voting 191 required.
Majority.
That is absolute majority of those present and voting is 96.
And now I will announce the number of votes obtained by the candidates.
Mr.
leotard Cultivar of Kazakhstan 157.
Miss Fortino, Otunba of Samoa 138.
Miss Deauville, Judoka of Lithuania 132.
Miss Rigby Gabriel Juarez Hagos of Ethiopia 131.
Mr.
Moshe Hoyos, Pan of Armenia 131.
Mr.
Mohammad Ali of Jordan 122.
Mr.
Abdel Rahman Buhari of Benin 122.
Miss Vilani Romanza of Palau 121.
Mr.
Jang Chang PR of China 119.
Miss Fatima Wangari Hajji of Kenya 105.
Mr.
Alfred Kouadio Kouassi of Cote d'Ivoire 100.
Miss Marie Robitaille of France 97.
Mr.
Oumarou Sidhu NoHo of Niger 73.
Mr.
Karim Outgrow of Burkina Faso, 71.
Mr.
Robert Mukasa Shivaji of Uganda, 54.
Accordingly, the nine persons elected.
Are Miss Light Cultivar of Kazakhstan.
Miss Fortino Otunbayeva of Samoa, Miss Deauville Gigante of Lithuania, Miss Rigby Gabriel Sargos of Ethiopia, miss Mr.
Mugesh hoist Pan of Armenia.
Mr.
Mohammad Ali of Jordan.
Mr.
Abdul Rahman Aubry of Benin, Miss Vilani of Palau, and Mr.
Jan Chang of PR of China.
Congratulations and I take this opportunity to congratulate all the nine members that who have been elected to serve in the committee for the next term and.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we are close to the end of this meeting, and I wish to thank the interpreters and all the delegations for accommodating us for extra ten minutes that we were due to adjourn at ten.
But thank you for accommodating continuation of this meeting till this time this afternoon at 3 p.m.
we shall continue with the meeting and we shall continue with the agenda item five A to hear the remainder of the speakers of the general debate, as well as the agenda item on the accreditation of NGOs.
The decision that we deferred.
I thank you, and the meeting is adjourned, and we will resume at 3 p.m..