The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs provide a powerful framework to guide local communities, countries and the international community toward the achievement of disability-inclusive development. The 2030 Agenda pledges to leave no one behind, including persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups and recognizes disability as a cross-cutting issue to be considered in the implementation of all of its goals.

National disability strategies and action plans can play an important role in coordinating and guiding the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (CRPD) by highlighting areas which will be prioritized at the national level. Disability strategies and action plans typically present measures and milestones which a country intends to reach by the end of the period covered by the strategy/plan.

Every year, the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch within the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs organizes an international expert group meeting on a theme recommended by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and endorsed by the Economic and Social Council.

Expert Group Meeting
“Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing SDG 16”
19 – 21 November 2019
University of Chiang Mai, Thailand

On 21 May 2018, the President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, organized a high-level event on Culture and Sustainable Development in the ECOSOC Chamber from 10 am to 6pm. The event featured an opening segment, a roundtable, two panel discussions and a closing segment.

The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize that development will only be achievable if it is inclusive of all ages. Empowering older persons in all dimensions of development, including promoting their active participation in the social, economic and political lives is one way to ensure their inclusiveness and reduce inequalities.

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) concluded its debate on social development today, with youth delegates demanding greater access to education and job opportunities, as well as a voice in decisions that will help them overcome entrenched marginalization.

On 24 September, both Mr. Jose Viera and Mr. Mohammed Loutfy presented on behalf of the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities presented at the SDG Summit CSO Forum.

The UN Youth Climate Summit is a platform for young leaders who are driving climate action to showcase their solutions at the United Nations, and to meaningfully engage with decision-makers on the defining issue of our time.

This historic event will take place on Saturday, September 21 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as part of a weekend of events leading up to the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit on Monday, September 23.

"This International Day recognizes the importance of sign languages for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling its core promise of leaving no one behind. It also offers an opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all sign language users." — UN Secretary-General António Guterres