Since 1992, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been annually observed on 3 December around the world. The theme for this year’s IDPD is “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. This theme focuses on the empowering persons with disabilities for the inclusive, equitable and sustainable development envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year, it is important to recall the important connection between inclusive development and human rights, and that people living in poverty are affected by many human rights violations.

Nearly 962 million people around the world are 60 years old or older, which represent 13% of the world population. This phenomenon has a growth rate of 3% annually and according to estimates, by 2030 the number of elderly people will reach to nearly 1400 million people.

Seventy years after its adoption, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) remains important and relevant as ever. We remain free and equal in dignity and rights.

To commemorate this anniversary, this year’s International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) will celebrate the older people around the world who dedicate their lives to championing human rights.

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages.

Noting that it was “a rare treat” to see so many young faces at the UN, to launch the new “Youth2030” strategy, UN chief António Guterres highlighted a list of challenges “the largest young generation in history” faces today.

Her Excellency Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, the new President of the General Assembly at the first meeting commencing the 73^rd session of the General Assembly on 18 September, committed herself and her good office to “making the United Nations relevant to all people”, and in this regard, she outlined 7 priority issues to address during her presidency.

On this 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations International Day for Older Persons (UNIDOP) celebrates the importance of this Declaration, and reaffirms the commitment to promoting the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons.

Growing older does not diminish a person’s inherent dignity and fundamental rights.

The commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty will take place on 17 October 2018 at UN Headquarters in New York under the theme: “Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity”.