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Implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is strongly tied to the implantation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stated Lenni Montiel, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). “I am confident that the next 15 years will bring positive, transformative change to society, for and with persons with disabilities,” said Mr. Montiel, addressing Member State and Civil Society representatives at the 9th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the CRPD (COSP9).
The COSP9 Session took place from 13 to 16 June at UN Headquarters, New York. Speaking on behalf of UNDESA Under-Secretary-General, Wu Hongbo, Mr. Montiel highlighted the successes and challenges of implementing the CRPD, on the 10th anniversary of its adoption. He also re-affirmed UNDESA’s commitment to assisting States Parties in implementing the CRPD, assisting the translation of international frameworks into national action and in providing support through data collection and technical assistance for removing barriers to access.
UNDESA assists Member States and other stakeholders through programmes such as the “Toolkit on Disability for Africa” which is used in a number of regional training workshops for government officials and civil society representatives from disabled-persons’ organisations. The toolkit has been used in 10 countries in eastern and western Africa so far, and nationally-oriented programmes have been delivered at the request of governments from Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Togo, Uganda and Zambia.
Mr. Montiel also announced the start of preparations for a comprehensive report to be submitted to the UN General Assembly in 2018 on the progress made in realising the SDGs alongside the objectives of the CRPD. Further work in implementing this framework is needed to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind.
To learn more about our work on Persons with Disabilities, please visit un.org/disabilities
Source & Copyright: UNDESA