Welcome to the United Nations
The eighteenth session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 10 to 12 June 2025. The session brought together representatives of 125 Member States, regional groups, civil society, national human rights institutions, and UN entities, reaffirming the Convention’s role as a cornerstone for inclusive and sustainable development.
Key Themes and Discussions
The Conference focused on strengthening public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities, particularly in the lead-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, November 2025). Three round-table discussions framed the session:
- Innovative Financing for Inclusion: Delegates and experts showcased successful models such as social impact investment, personal assistance schemes, and community-based rehabilitation programmes. Speakers underscored the urgency of scaling up financing, noting that progress towards most disability-related Sustainable Development Goals remains off-track.
- Artificial Intelligence and Disability: With AI rapidly reshaping societies, participants examined both opportunities and risks. From accessible digital tools to the dangers of bias and exclusion, panelists called for inclusive design, disability-led innovation, and stronger accountability to ensure technology empowers rather than marginalizes.
- Indigenous Persons with Disabilities: For the first time, COSP dedicated a discussion to the intersecting challenges of Indigenous persons with disabilities. Testimonies highlighted systemic exclusion, data gaps, and threats linked to climate change, while also emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge, cultural rights, and meaningful participation in policymaking.
High-Level Messages
Opening statements by UN leaders, including the Deputy Secretary-General, emphasized that disability inclusion is fundamental to human rights and to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Speakers called for urgent reforms in global financing, inclusive care systems, and stronger recognition of persons with disabilities as leaders and agents of change.
Civil society voices resonated throughout the session, with organizations of persons with disabilities urging governments to move beyond symbolic campaigns and commit to structural reforms in areas such as deinstitutionalization, employment, and digital accessibility.
Decisions Adopted
The Conference unanimously adopted three decisions:
- To convene its nineteenth session from 9–11 June 2026 at UN Headquarters.
- To recommend continued provision of resources and accessibility support for future sessions.
- To request the Secretary-General to transmit the report of COSP18 to all States Parties and observers.
Looking Ahead
In his closing remarks, President Jayantha Jayasuriya welcomed Eritrea as the newest State Party, bringing the total to 192. He stressed that despite progress, persons with disabilities remain disproportionately excluded from education, employment, and social protection. He urged States and stakeholders to seize the momentum of the upcoming Second World Social Summit as an opportunity to advance disability inclusion at the heart of social development.
COSP18 reaffirmed that ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities is not an act of charity, but a matter of justice, dignity, and sustainable progress for all.
The official report of the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (CRPD/CSP/2025/5) has been officially issued. This report is now available on the ODS portal in all six official UN languages. You can view the report by clicking on the following link: English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉语
For more information about COSP18, please visit: https://social.desa.un.org/cosp/18th-session
