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Mohammed’s remarks came in her speech at the opening session of the 17th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which kicked off on Tuesday and will continue until June 13. The conference focuses on three main areas: international cooperation to promote and transfer technological innovations for an inclusive future, persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, and promoting their rights to decent work and sustainable livelihoods.

The conference’s broad theme is “Rethinking the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the current international context and in preparation for the Summit of the Future.”

The Deputy Secretary-General said that persons with disabilities in humanitarian emergencies such as natural disasters and armed conflicts continue to be left behind. She added that 39 per cent of persons with disabilities “face significant difficulty, or are simply unable to evacuate in situations of risk or humanitarian emergencies. This is unacceptable,” noting that this percentage has remained almost unchanged since 2015.

She said that persons with disabilities must be included in disaster planning and preparedness, as well as in processes aimed at mitigating the risks and barriers they face.

She stressed that "children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, and face grave risks if they are left behind. As we saw years ago in Sierra Leone, and as we see today in Gaza."

Investing in Technology

On technology and persons with disabilities, the UN official said that the global need for assistive technology remains largely unmet, as 2.5 billion people worldwide need to use at least one type of assistive technology.

She called for a significant increase in investments in assistive technologies that enable persons with disabilities to access education, earn a living and fully participate in their communities.

She also pointed out that with regard to decent work, “persons with disabilities faced greater risks of poverty and continued marginalization in their societies,” calling for ensuring their equality and right to decent work and equal opportunities in employment.

In concluding her speech, the Deputy Secretary-General recalled “the fierce conflicts affecting our world today, in Sudan, Ukraine and Palestine.”

She warned that these conflicts continue to cause unimaginable suffering, especially for women, children and persons with disabilities. She renewed the call for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Palestine.”

Courage and determination

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Dennis Francis, addressed the gathering via video message at the opening session, noting that there are more than 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide, “who are among the most vulnerable, suffering disproportionate levels of poverty, marginalization and discrimination.”

But he also noted that there are many positive examples of what people with disabilities are doing, “who continue to inspire us with their courage and determination, and remind us of what can be achieved when they are empowered and supported to reach their full potential.”

He stressed that with 190 countries joining the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, its near-universal ratification reflects growing global solidarity with and commitment to their rights.

Francis called on all governments and stakeholders to mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities, to integrate their views into all policy design and implementation, to work with persons with disabilities to create and deliver solutions in every country and community, and to act urgently to uphold their rights.

"A unique opportunity"

Tunisian Ambassador to the United Nations and President of the 17th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Tarek Adab, said that there is much that needs to be done, and can be done, to make a difference in the lives of more than 1.3 billion people with disabilities around the world.

He stressed that the conference will provide "a unique opportunity for us to collectively reflect on experiences and lessons learned over time, and to identify gaps in the implementation of the Convention and the 2030 Agenda by strengthening efforts to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities."

He pointed out that this year's conference is particularly important given the current international situation, the challenges that exist and are emerging, and before the Future Summit next September. He paid tribute to persons with disabilities, "who continue to amaze and inspire us with their will to live, their challenge to all difficulties, and their achievements and positive energy."

Opportunities and risks

For her part, Heba Hagras, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, stressed that there is much to be done, especially in light of the global challenges of armed conflict, climate change and economic crisis.

She added that “the world is changing rapidly on many fronts. This creates opportunities and risks for protecting and exercising the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, or whether it will lead to regression and exclusion.”

She pointed out that the rapid development of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, can be a radical change for the rights of persons with disabilities, “but only if they are included in design and regulations to prevent discriminatory effects.”

She stressed that much of her future substantive work that she will focus on will be in the field of transformative and systemic changes, noting that there is a close link between the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

She stated that her first report, which she will submit to the United Nations General Assembly later this year, will address the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in the Sustainable Development Goals and related discussions.

An opportunity for change and breaking barriers

Khadija Jellouli, a young woman from Tunisia, spoke about her experience to the audience at the opening session. She is the CEO of Hokar, a startup dedicated to improving people’s lives by providing convenient, accessible and sustainable electric mobility solutions.

“Growing up, I faced physical limitations that could have marginalized me. But I refused to accept those limitations. Instead, I turned my unique perspective into an opportunity for change,” said Khadija, who is a person with a disability.

She stressed that the message she is sending to the audience “speaks to the essence of our common humanity. And the importance of breaking barriers to inclusion in social life.”

She stressed that in order to create a more just and equitable society, startups like Hokar must be supported to be changemakers and advocates for inclusion. “We must not make inclusion a dream, but a reality where no one is left behind,” she added.

URL:https://news.un.org/ar/story/2024/06/1131686