United Nations Expert Group Meeting on a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, (2 to 4 May 2013)

I. Introduction

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations Secretariat in close collaboration with the United Nations University (UNU) will organize an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) entitled: "A disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2 to 4 May 2013.

The EGM will include expert participants from around the world, in their individual capacity, including those with experience in: disability, development policy and programmes; and disability data and statistics.

Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 65/10, work is underway to elaborate options for post-2015 development agenda – the end point for action identified for implementation of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – with the focus on a post-2015 development framework that will be sustainable, equitable and inclusive.

Moreover, through its resolution 66/124, the Assembly decided to convene a High-Level Meeting on Disability and Development (HLMDD) with the overarching theme “The way forward: a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond” on 23 September 2013. The High-level Meeting is expected to result in a concise, action-oriented outcome document to provide policy guidance and strengthen efforts of the international community to promote disability-inclusive development.

The EGM will provide a forum for in-depth exchange of knowledge and experience relating to the main obstacles in mainstreaming disability in internationally agreed development goals, with a view to moving forward the global disability agenda.

II. Scope and objectives of the meeting

The EGM will provide a forum for independent experts to assess the major obstacles encountered in the implementation of internationally agreed development goals such as the Millennium Development Goals for persons with disabilities to date. Against the backdrop on the work underway to shape a global development agenda for 2015 and beyond, the EGM will also provide strategic options and recommendations to reinforce the disability perspective in the post-2015 development agenda.

III. Expected outcomes

EGM participants are expected to prepare a strategic framework to promote the goal of disability-inclusive development efforts towards 2015 and beyond. The experts will recommend specific actions that can be taken by, Governments, the UN system, civil society and other stakeholders, towards this objective.

The EGM's findings and recommendations are expected to (1) serve as a contribution to the outcome document of the HLMDD; (2) promote knowledge and understanding on the linkages between disability and inclusive, equitable and sustainable development and (3) initiate collaboration within the United Nations and other relevant stakeholders to foster strategic thinking and coordination of action to promote a disability-inclusive post-2015 development agenda.

IV. EGM activities

The meeting will include the following activities to achieve its objectives:

Assess the main challenges and gaps in achieving disability-inclusive development;
Provide concrete recommendations on the priority areas for action including those already identified in the Secretary-General’s report (A/67/211), harnessing the expertise from different regions to the greatest extent possible;
Conduct working group discussions on: (1) Social protection, employment and sustainable livelihoods in the context of post-2015 development agenda; (2) Disability and environmental sustainability and (3) Participatory governance and accountability, as well as draft recommendations for each of the three issues;
Discuss entry points for positioning disability in a meaningful way to achieve the goal of disability-inclusive development towards 2015 and beyond;
Recommend actions to be taken by all stakeholders to promote the inclusion of disability in the emerging post-2015 development agenda.

V. Organization and participation

Approximately 15 experts, in their individual capacity, will be invited by the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD/DESA) to the two-day Expert Group Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2 to 4 May 2013.

United Nations agencies and organizations, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations may be invited to participate as observers.

VI. Language of meeting documentation and proceedings

The working language of the EGM is English. Pre- and in-session meeting documentation will be provided in English in accessible formats, through Internet-enabled resources or both.