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  5. 17th Session Of The Conference Of States Parties To The CRPD (COSP17)

17th Session Of The Conference Of States Parties To The CRPD (COSP17)

Photo COSP16

The Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has decided that its seventeenth session (COSP17) will take place in Conference Room 4 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 11 to 13 June 2024.

This decision is based on the recall of General Assembly resolution 61/106 and the consideration of rule 1, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the rules of procedure of the Conference.

Photo COSP16

Theme and sub-themes of the Conference

Overarching theme: Rethinking disability inclusion in the current international juncture and ahead of the Summit of the Future

Sub theme 1: International cooperation to promote technology innovations and transfer for an inclusive future, co-chaired by:  Sri Lanka Vice President of the bureau and a civil society representative
Sub theme 2: Persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies,  co-chaired by: Georgia Vice President of the bureau and a civil society representative
Sub theme 3: Promoting the rights of persons with disabilities to decent work and sustainable livelihood,  co-chaired by:  Greece Vice President of the bureau and a civil society representative

Provisional Agenda and Program 

Official Documentation

Photo COSP17 Bureau

Bureau

President (Africa): Tunisia

Vice-presidents:
Sri Lanka (APG)
Georgia (EEG)
Panama (GRULAC)
Greece (WEOG)

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General Debate

The General Debate will be organized and will begin on the first day of the conference. All States Parties and Observer States that wish to be inscribed on the list of speakers are requested to inscribe through the e-Speakers module of the e-Delegate portal between 20 May (Monday) and 3 June (Monday). Further information will be announced in due course through the UN Journal and regional group representatives in the bureau.

Considering the time constraints, a statement will be limited to three minutes for each speaker duly and in-timely inscribed to the list and the time-limit policy will be enforced effectively (i.e. cutting off the microphone). Individual reasonable accommodation will be granted for persons with disabilities, and in this regard, needs must be communicated directly to the Secretariat via emailing to enable@un.org in advance no later than 15 May 2024.

All States Parties and Signatories to the CRPD are requested to inscribe their speaker through the e-Delegate/e-Speakers portal link.

Registered United Nations Entities, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are requested to inscribe to the speakers list to register their speaker details with all requested information by 3 June at 6pm ( New York time). The online form will be available on May 20th.

Guidance Note on the General Debate

UN Guidelines for Pre-recorded Video Statements

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Election of the Members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

“In accordance with article 34, paragraph 7, an election will be conducted during the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties to elect nine members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities whose term will expire on 31 December 2024. More details about the election including a list of received Names of Candidates and their biodata, among others, are made available and will be updated by OHCHR in the website of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Note Verbale

Nominations received by the announced deadline 11 April 2024 ( CRPD/CSP/2024/CRP.1)

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Credentials

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) has sent a  Note Verbale (DESA-23/02786, dated 20 December 2023) by which the secretariat is pleased to:

(1) Notify States Parties and Observers of the convening of the 17th session in New York from 11 to 13 June;

(2) The e-Credentials/e-Delegate services will be available to delegations starting from 1 March 2024. Delegations can submit a scanned copy of their credentials for the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties. The original copy of the credentials should be submitted to the secretariat at DISD/UNDESA, located on the 25th floor of the Secretariat Building, before the opening of the Conference, specifically before 11 June 2024.

(3) States are kindly requested to inform their delegates of any specific accessibility requirements and forward this information via email to enable@un.org as soon as possible by 1 May 2024 in order to help ensure accessibility for all participants.

Download the step-by-step Guidance on how to submit credentials to the General Assembly meetings via the e-Credentials portal.

If delegations experience any technical issues using the e-DELEGATE portal for submitting their Credentials, please direct inquiries to the Secretariat: missions-support@un.int.

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Accessibility Requirements

The United Nations is committed to promoting accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities at its Headquarters and beyond. All necessary efforts and accommodations, such as seating adjustments, will be made to best meet the needs of participants with disabilities who have provided advance notice of their specific accessibility requirements.

All States Parties are kindly requested to notify the secretariat if their delegates have specific accessibility requirements via enable@un.org. no later than 1 May 2024, in order to ensure accessibility for all participants.

Please send the following details:

  1. Specific accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, hearing loops usage, documentation in Braille, large print, or sign language usage
  2. The name of the delegation and individual delegate especially when the delegate will expect speak on behalf of the delegation in a meeting. 

Delegations are requested to also include specific accessibility needs details of their speaker, if applicable, when inscribing to the List of Speakers for the General Debate.

National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) Participation

National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) interested in attending the COSP17 must complete this online application form. The deadline for receiving this application form is 22 April 2024. 

The online application is only open to NHRIs with "A"  Status.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at socialngo@un.org with the subject "COSP17 NHRIs".

Civil Society Forum

DEADLINE TO COMPLETE THE FORM (link below): FRIDAY 10 MAY.

The Civil Society Coordination Mechanism (CSCM), which is facilitated by the International Disability Alliance, hosts a Civil Society Forum (CSF), as an addition to the COSP, to leverage the opportunity to amplify the voice and facilitate adequate and active participation of persons with disabilities. This year, the CSF will be held on Monday 10 June. 

The Civil Society Forum will follow a format of a “People’s Assembly” or a Townhall meeting. Following a brief opening, three substantive sessions will be held. The sessions will be focused on specific pre-determined topics. They will be a mirror of the three COSP Themes, as above, and focused on the civil society perspectives and issues CSOs deem most appropriate under each theme. Read the background papers before making your submission to ensure compliance!

Each session will start off in a chat show style with the moderator and one invited guest very briefly laying out the outline of the topic. There will be no panel. Once the brief introduction is done, the moderator will invite organizations that have already been shortlisted. Organizations will be allotted 3 mins, and are invited to deliver a statement, presentation or call to action on the topic in hand. Interventions will be made from the main floor (no podium).
  
Use the form via this link to indicate your interest to make a presentation / statement under one of the three themes.

Civil Society Participation

 

1. Watch a short video: How can I register for COSP17 on Indico?
2. Watch a short video: How to designate yourself as the Conference Focal Point for #COSP17?
3. Watch a short video: How to approve your representatives and yourself as a Conference Focal Point in Indico?

Registration for NGOs with ECOSOC status and NGOs Accredited to the Conference of State Parties is NOW OPEN: The deadline is 20 May 2024. For questions related to your indico registration, please contact us by email at socialngo@un.org.

  • Please note that only NGOs with ECOSOC Status and Accredited NGOs to the Conference of State Parties (COSP) may register via indico for the COSP17.
  • Please be advised it is the responsibility of your organization to approve your registration. Upon registering, please contact your organization for approval. Your organization's designated conference focal point may select the menu item on the left to access the approval area. 
  • Due to space constraints, the numbers of attendees to the COSP16 should be kept to a minimum and should not exceed 10 representatives per organization. 

Application for New NGO accreditation is NOW OPEN: Please consult the Information Note.The deadline is 22 April 2024. For questions related to your application, please contact us by email at socialngo@un.org.

Only NGOs accredited by the Conference of States Parties can participate in the sessions of the Conference of States Parties. NGOs that have consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) or were accredited to the Ad Hoc Committee on the Convention are already accredited to the Conference of States Parties.

  • All other NGOs wishing to participate in the Conference of States Parties must apply for accreditation to the Conference.
  • Accreditation is a one-time process by which non-governmental organizations that have not previously been accredited become eligible to participate as observers in the Conference of States Parties (including in future sessions). Accreditation is granted to organizations and not to individuals.

Resources:

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Side Events

Online Application Form for COSP17 Side Events is NOW OPEN. The deadline is 22 April 2024 by 11:30 p.m. New York Time.

Please read very carefully the instructions before you apply for a side event during the COSP17.

Side events provide an excellent opportunity for the Member States, Intergovernmental Organizations, NHRIs, UN entities, and NGOs to discuss the themes of the COSP and other critical issues related to persons with disabilities.

Side events are for COSP attendees and registered participants as well as invited registered external guests.

To promote broad stakeholder participation, ONLY one event application can be accommodated per the main sponsor.

All questions on side events should be directed to socialngo@un.org with the subject "COSP17 Side Events"

For any questions, please email us at socialngo@un.org and cc enable@un.org.

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Spread the Word!

  • Follow us on Twitter @UN_Enable, @UNDESASocial, @UNDESA
  • Use #COSP17 as the main hashtag
  • Other hashtags: #COSP #GlobalGoals and #EveryoneIncluded
  • Planning a special event for #COSP17? We want to know! Tweet or email us at socialngo@un.org.