International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The Pathological Theater is a leading therapeutic institution in Italy, nationally and internationally, providing essential support to individuals—and their families—affected by severe physical and mental disabilities. Objectives of the side event: Through sharing of best practices and concrete examples of inclusion of persons with disabilities, the side event aims at exploring how the empowerment of persons with disabilities is meaningful through arts and cultural life by addressing four main pillars of action: Participation in Cultural Life and the Arts Fostering Self-Expression and Representation Removing barriers to access Supporting Professional Development in the Art Related Sites and Documents:  Concept Note  and  Programme . Watch Empowering Persons with Disabilities Through Arts: Concrete Experiences for Real Inclusion! Side Events

Watch Working to develop a unified approach to implementing the UNCRPD across the Commonwealth (COSP18 Side Event)! Side Events

The 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties ( COSP18 ) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),taking place from 10-12 June 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year's theme focuses on enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities in the lead-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development. Key topics include innovative financing for empowerment, artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for inclusivity, and recognizing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities. Interactive Dialogue among States parties, the United Nations system and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Convention (item 5 c), chaired by President of the Conference, Sri Lanka Presentations by: · Ms. Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, DESA · Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, OHCHR · Ms. Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, Global Disability Ad...

   Through this event, Italy, Albania and the Dominican Republic reaffirm their commitment to advancing international cooperation in sport, and to promoting inclusive, resilient communities built on solidarity, respect, and shared opportunity. The side event will delve into the tangible impact of such cooperation through a number of initiatives, including the inclusion of free sports programmes in the Municipality of Rome's budget, inspired by Progetto Filippide, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Progetto Filippide and the Government of Albania to establish inclusive sports centers in Tirana and Shkodra. Objectives To present innovative financing systems that support sustainable, inclusive sport programs in line with the CRPD. To showcase successful models of international cooperation, including the Italy-Albania partnership and the role of Progetto Filippide. To promote dialogue on integrating sport into broader development strategies, including the UN ...

This side-event will look into and emphasize the complex and often overlooked intersection between disability and sexual victimization, with a particular focus on how this applies to autistic people. This will draw upon research and community engagement carried out, led by disabled and autistic survivors themselves, and will also be informed by the experiences of key international bodies such as the UN CRPD and CEDAW Committees, policymakers in Spain and Malta and, most importantly, disabled and autistic people with lived experience concerning this subject matter. Challenges and barriers to access to justice for victims and survivors will be tackled, and statistics will be presented, highlighting the increased risk of sexual abuse, coercion and victimization, and exposure to practices such as forced sterilization. The side-event will particularly focus on the relationship between this increased risk, and victims and survivors having intersecting identities and facing intersecting oppre...

  The 18th session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) offers a timely and critical opportunity to engage with one of the most pressing themes emerging from the UN system: how diverse and complex contexts amplify the barriers faced by persons with disabilities, particularly those subjected to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. In response to General Assembly Resolution 78/195, the Secretary-General is preparing a report for the 80th session of the General Assembly focusing on persons with disabilities in contexts that remain significantly under-addressed in both global policy and practice. These include situations of displacement and forced migration, engagement with the criminal justice system, life in rural and climate-vulnerable areas, and the ongoing use of institutional settings for care. Each of these realities brings with it intensified risks of exclusion, neglect, and rights violati...

Watch Nexus between trafficking and the rights of per sons with disabilities (COSP 18 Side Event)!

The 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),taking place from 10-12 June 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year's theme focuses on enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities in the lead-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development. Key topics include innovative financing for empowerment, artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for inclusivity, and recognizing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities. Matters related to the implementation of the Convention: (item 5 b(iii) Roundtable 3: Recognizing and addressing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion. Co-chaired by Ms. Elizabeth Tudor-Beziés, Vice President of the Conference, Canada, and Ms. Christine Kandie Lebelit, Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network of Kenya) Presentations by: · Ms. Jenny Tiboc...

The rights of indigenous women and girls with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion. Watch Recognizing and addressing the rights of indigenous women and girls with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion (CRPD-COSP18 Side Event)! Side Events

Addressing challenges of persons with disabilities resulting from climate change and its consequences on mental health: The Sierra Leone experience and Call to Action. Efforts to mitigate impact of climate change on persons with disability in Sierra Leone. and ensuring the meaningful participation of persons with disability in all spheres of activities in Sierra Leone including education, sports, arts and culture, technology and entrepreneurship and meaningful leadership of processes of climate change mitigation in Sierra Leone. Watch addressing the adverse effects of Climate Events on Persons with Disabilities- The Sierra Leone Experience (CRPD-COSP18 Side Event)! Side Events

  This side event is a forum for discussing how co-design arrangements between the State and DPOs can function successfully, and to the advantage of disabled people in having their perspectives represented at the centre of policy design processes. Partnership and co-design – Perspectives on the role of Disabled Persons' Organisations in the development and implementation of National Disability Strategies (CRPD-COSP18 Side Event)! Side Events

  The 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties (#COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),taking place from 10-12 June 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year's theme focuses on enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities in the lead-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development. Key topics include innovative financing for empowerment, artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for inclusivity, and recognizing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities. Matters related to the implementation of the Convention: (item 5 b(ii):  Roundtable 2: Leaving no one behind: using AI as a tool for supporting inclusivity to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities (co-chaired by Mr. David Pedroza, Vice President of the Conference, Peru, and Ms. Susan Mazrui, G3ICT) Presentations by: · Mr. Lim Zui Young, Oobee, GovTech Singapore; · Ms Dovilė Juodkaitė, Expert ...

Watch Raising Awareness -Potential of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD-COSP18 Side Event)! Side Events

The side event aims to demonstrate how the participation of persons with disabilities in the labour market can become a driver of social inclusion through enhancing accessibility and innovation . Focusing on Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the event will discuss how the participation of persons with disabilities in the labour market advances the enjoyment of their rights, and how it can become a driver of social inclusion through enhancing accessibility and innovation . Speakers will share their experiences from a sectoral perspective in the areas of employment of persons with disabilities, competitiveness and social security, providing an insight into the successes and challenges related to the employment of persons with disabilities, as well as its positive impacts on businesses themselves. Related Sites and Documents:  Flyer  &  Concept Note . ; Watch Inclusion, Support, Opportunity: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities i...

  The Philippines' NCDA hosts a side event on innovative financing to advance health care, social protection, and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities, aligning with the 18th COSP theme on empowerment and inclusive development. In support of the 18th Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the CRPD, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) of the Philippines will hold a side event on " Innovative Financing on Care Economy, Social Protection and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Formal Economy ." The event will explore interlinked strategies in health care financing, social protection, and economic inclusion to empower persons with disabilitie s. It will showcase government efforts, good practices, and challenges, highlighting the role of persons with disabilities in shaping disability-inclusive markets and informing inclusive policy and planning. Related Sites and Documents:  Concept Note . Watch the Innovative Financing on Care Economy...

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) states that full participation in social life and integral development of human potential are inalienable rights , to be respected and promoted with courage and responsibility. During the side event, several innovative experiences from different Italian realities will be presented, where persons with disabilities are the active protagonists of creative and recreational pathways . These initiatives show how recreational, sports, artistic and cultural activities can become not only moments of leisure, but real opportunities for personal growth, creative expression and social inclusion. The experiences that will be shared will show how it is possible to design and implement fully accessible and participatory recreational settings, capable of adapting to the different needs of persons with disabilities, regardless of their level of support, opening up new and unexpected possibilities for a full and effective realizati...

The side event will discuss the opportunities of AI for persons with disabilities as well as preconditions and recommendations for inclusive, fair and accessible use and development of it. The speakers represent perspectives from governments, civil society and technology companies: H.E. Ms. Lubna Jaffery, Minister of Culture and Equality of Norway; H.E. Mr. Pekka Puustinen, Vice-Minister at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland; Ms. Maryanne Emomeri, UDPK, Kenya; Ms. Heba Hagrass, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Ms. Malin Ekman Aldén, Director-General at the Agency for Participation of Sweden; Ms. Rylin Rodgers, Disability Policy Advisor, Microsoft; Ms. Anne Sina, Head of the policy section, Disabled Peoples Organisation of Denmark; Mr. José Viera, Executive Director, International Disability Alliance; Mr. Eiður Welding, Youth delegate, Chair of UngÖBÍ from Iceland. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. A.H. Monjurul Kabir, Global Adviser and...

The event will  highlighting how global trends impact disability inclusion  and offer strategies to accelerate inclusive development, ahead of the World Social Summit. The event will present key findings from the Global Disability Inclusion Report (GDIR), launched at the Global Disability Summit 2025. It will highlight how global trends impact disability inclusion and offer strategies to accelerate inclusive development, feeding into preparations for the World Social Summit. Watch towards the World Social Summit: Insights from the Global Disability Inclusion Report on Accelerating Inclusion in a Diverse and Changing World (CRPD-COSP18 Side Event)!

In the run-up to the 2nd World Summit for Social Development, which focuses on the three pillars of Poverty eradication, full employment and decent work and social inclusion, persons with disabilities are essential stakeholders. Entrepreneurship and leadership by persons with disabilities can create employment opportunities and workplace environments truly inclusive. Their active engagement is imperative to achieve SDG 8 and SDG10 in letter and spirit. Adoption of such approaches contribute to innovative solutions to social development. Scaling up affordable assistive technology solutions for the active engagement of persons with disabilities is critical. The work of the Jaipur Foot organization (Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti) provides valuable lessons in this regard - both in developing affordable assistive technology and leveraging South-South Cooperation to reach the most deserving in the Global South. By bringing to the fore voices of such staunch advocates for empower...

The 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties ( COSP18  ) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),taking place from 10-12 June 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year's theme focuses on enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities in the lead-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development. Key topics include innovative financing for empowerment, artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for inclusivity, and recognizing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities. Matters related to the implementation of the Convention: (item 5a) general debate (continued**) Related Documents:  Website  and  Agenda . Watch the (2nd meeting) 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18)! Conferences

  This side event, hosted by the Australian Government, will explore how we are Building the Evidence base through Better Disability-Led Data and Research, aligning with global and national priorities in disability rights, knowledge co-production, and inclusive policy developmen t. The theme is significant to the United Nations, the Australian Government, and civil society organisations (CSOs), as it emphasises the importance of centring persons with disabilities as leaders and co-creators in research . In alignment with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the COSP18 theme Empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing social development policies through innovative financing, this event will share how building the evidence base through disability-led research, underpinned by ethical, high-quality data and community insights, can drive evidence for action leading to more inclusive policies, practices and systemic change. This is more effective than trad...

   Executives from Disability:IN and Microsoft explore how AI-driven accessibility innovations are unlocking economic opportunities and enhancing workplace inclusion for people with disabilities. Related Sites and Documents:  Live Captioning ,  Concept Note  and  Flyer ; Watch AI Squared: Optimizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Accessibility and Inclusion (A/I) (CRPD-COSP18 Side Event)! Side Events

  The discussion will identify the opportunities and challenges AI presents for workforce inclusion and provide insights into international best practices and opportunities for global collaboration on AI accessibility. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the modern workplace, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance accessibility, productivity, and workforce participation for persons with disabilities. However, AI also presents risks such as unintentional biases, accessibility gaps, and discriminatory decision-making, that must be addressed to ensure fair and inclusive employment practices. This side event will offer the opportunity to explore how AI can be leveraged to foster meaningful workforce participation for persons with disabilities. The discussion will identify the opportunities and challenges AI presents for workforce inclusion and provide insights into international best practices and opportunities for global collaboration on AI accessibility. By bringing to...

Ensuring that disabled people can access their rights is fundamental to driving social development. While the SDGs and the World Social Summit have the stated aim of placing people at the centre of social development, this is impossible without ownership and empowerment. Furthermore, for disabled people, the path to this must be accessible - in line with the direction contained in Article 13 of the UNCRPD. In conjunction with our international partners, Malta has developed a system which facilitates redress in respect of disability discrimination, developed principally by disabled people, for the benefit of disabled people and their allies. Concurrently, strong awareness in respect of both people's rights, and their paths to seeking justice, will complement this process. This system will be presented by its custodian, Malta's disability equality body, the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD). An expert from the Validity Foundation will offer a critical an...

   This side event, organized by EnAble India and G3ict, in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, will explore strategies to advance disability-inclusive economic growth through the Global Disability Economic Alliance (GDEA). The GDEA aims to position disability inclusion as a driver of innovation, market expansion, and sustainable development . With persons with disabilities comprising over 15% of the global population and representing more than USD 18 trillion in spending power, the event will highlight the shift needed from passive inclusion to intentional investment in disability-inclusive economies . The panel discussion will bring together leaders from the private sector, civil society, and global initiatives to examine how inclusive economic models can unlock untapped markets, foster innovation, and contribute to resilient, sustainable economies. Opening Address: H.E. Luis Gallegos, President of the Boards of UNITAR, GIA, an...

This official launch of this critical global initiative will unite governments, disability organizations, and health experts to drive collaborative action toward equitable healthcare outcomes. Join us for the addressing systemic health inequities faced by persons with disabilities. This in-person event will unite governments, disability organizations, and health experts to drive collaborative action toward equitable healthcare outcomes. Persons with disabilities experience profound health disparities—including shorter life expectancy and increased disease risk —due to societal and systemic barriers. This initiative will amplify the role of organizations of persons with disabilities in health governance, ensuring their leadership in shaping inclusive policies and programs, as well as targeting political prioritization, inclusive health systems and building the evidence base. Featured speakers include representatives from the governments of Australia, Germany, Norway, and Sweden, alongsi...

Four thought-leaders living with cerebral palsy on overcoming barriers to participation and contribute to Social Development. Related Sites and Documents:  Flyer . Fighting for the Right to Contribute - How Persons with Cerebral Palsy Overcome Barriers to Participation and Contribute to Social Development(CRPD-COSP18 Side Event)

The event will discuss innovative ways of financing parasports, aligning with CRPD overarching goal of promoting inclusivity. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) emphasizes the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access to sports and recreational activities. Article 30 of the CRPD specifically highlights the responsibility of State Parties to promote participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure, and sports for individuals with disabilities. Sport can be a powerful tool for promoting public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities, playing a key role in fostering social development. Brazil intends to organize a side event to discuss innovative ways of financing parasports, aligning with the overarching goal of promoting inclusivity and social development. This initiative aims to explore sustainable funding strategies that enhance opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in sp...

The 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties (#COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),taking place from 10-12 June 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year's theme focuses on enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities in the lead-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development . Key topics include innovative financing for empowerment, artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for inclusivity, and recognizing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities. Opening of the Conference of States Parties (item 1) chaired by Ms. Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, UNDESA Election of Officers (item 2) Adoption of the agenda (item 3): chaired by President of the Conference, Sri Lanka Organization of work (item 4) Opening remarks: 1. President of Conference 2. H.E Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General on behalf of the Secretary-General of...

This side event will present recent findings from a soon-to-be-published policy brief by the ILO and ATscale, highlighting the critical role of AT in enhancing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and other AT users in LMICs. The global challenge of assistive technology access for employment Globally, over a billion people live with disabilities, with a significant majority residing in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Employment is a fundamental aspect of human dignity, self-sufficiency, and socio-economic participation. However, Assistive Technology (AT) users, especially persons with disabilities face significant barriers to entering and remaining in the workforce. Assistive technology (AT) is crucial for bridging accessibility gaps, fostering social inclusion, and enabling access to employment for this population. It has the potential to bridge this gap, providing crucial support that enables persons with AT users to perform job tasks, communicate effective...

The 18th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18) will take place from June 10 to 12, 2025, at the UN Headquarters. Established in 2008 under Article 40 of the CRPD, COSP convenes annually to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. Watch empowering Lives Through Inclusive Approaches (COSP18 CRPD Side Event)! Side Events

This side event aims to discuss the developments that have taken place in countries since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the challenges encountered, and possible global solutions to address these challenges. In this respect; the discussion will be guided around the following questions: What has been the contribution of CRPD and recommendations of UN human rights mechanisms for the realization of the rights of PwDs at both national and international levels on the way towards the 20th anniversary of the CRPD? What are the critical challenges in implementing CRPD at both national and international levels? What is the impact of human rights mechanisms and UN bodies on the realization of the rights of PwDs? Is there a need for a dedicated international entity, established by the UN to mainstream disability and promote the realization of the development goals for and with PwDs? Watch Towards the CRPD 20: Advancing Global Governance for Disabilit...

   In many countries, there are barriers to access to justice for persons with disabilities. The side-event " Access to Justice " is dedicated to Art. 13 CRPD. Its goal is to promote international exchange in order to reduce the existing barriers. In many countries, there are barriers to access to justice for persons with disabilities. Little expertise is available to deal with this problem. The side-event "Access to Justice" is dedicated to Art. 13 CRPD. Its goal is to promote international exchange in order to reduce the existing barriers. By providing insights for litigation, the side event is also intended to contribute in the longer term to the creation and establishment of a broader "jurisprudence" of the UN committees in the field of disability equality law and thus to the worldwide implementation of the CRPD. Questions and problems such as the following will be discussed: What can be done at the legislative level to reduce the barriers that persons...

In the shift away from the medical model to the social model of disability, it is essential that persons with disabilities have choice and control over which personal assistance services they use, including managing the budgeting for these services. To empower persons with disabilities to make these choices, Australia has introduced the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and South Korea is running a pilot project on Personal Budget Plans. This event will: Compare the structures of the NDIS and the Personal Budget Plan Identify successful outcomes from personal assistance schemes Identify opportunities for improvement in the implementation of both systems Enable learning from the NDIS experience for the Personal Budget Plan in South Korea Related Documents:  Flyer Watch the innovative financing and personal assistance schemes: Comparing Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme with South Korea's Personal Support Budget Plan (CoSP18 Side Event)! Side Events

This side event will present practical examples of how data on disability-related costs is being collected and used across countries. Persons with disabilities and their households often incur additional costs related to disability—such as expenses for assistive devices, personal assistance, transport, healthcare, and education. These disability-related costs significantly affect their actual standard of living, deepen poverty, and limit equal participation in society. Measuring and understanding these costs is therefore essential to: • Accurately assess poverty and inequality faced by persons with disabilities; • Design and implement inclusive social protection systems; • Guide public investment toward policies and services that effectively promote inclusion and reduce inequalities. This side event will present practical examples of how data on disability-related costs is being collected and used across countries. It will present the methodological guidelines developed collaboratively...

The Civil Society Forum being held under the auspices of the 18th Conference of States Parties (CoSP) to the CRPD will aim to provide a space for civil society to share its initiatives, projects and concerns, including sharing experiences of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) on the implementation of the CRPD . (Part 1) Civil Society Forum under the auspices of the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN CRPD (COSP18)!

  Related Documents:  Concept Note  for  More information .   Watch the closing the Revolving Doors: A Lifespan Approach to Deinstitutionalization (CRPD 20 Side Event! Side Events