19 July 2013: The Sixth Session of the Conference of States Parties (COP 6) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has concluded with a call for national action to take forward the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya and President of COP 6, said delegations should make their voices heard in their capitals to ensure a sustainable future without discrimination. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s address reminded delegates that many of the world’s one billion people living with disabilities still lack basic social protection. Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of Israel, said the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) overlooked disability, and called for the post-2015 development agenda to ensure equal opportunity for all.

COP 6, on the theme ‘Ensuring Adequate Standard of Living: Empowerment and Participation of Persons with Disabilities within the Framework of the CRPD,’ took place at UN Headquarters in New York, US, from 17-19 July 2013. The proceedings included two round tables on inclusive social protection and poverty reduction; and disability-inclusive development in national, regional and international processes. An informal panel on community-based rehabilitation and habilitation for inclusive society also took place.

Member States discussed disability-inclusive development in relation to disaster risk reduction, tourism and children, among other topics. They described national actions, including the implementation challenges experienced by African countries, the importance of establishing equal opportunities for people with disabilities and regional frameworks such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Network for Disability Access. Indonesia announced that it will host the third Asia-Pacific Meeting on Disability in 2017.

The World Bank and several UN agencies were represented on the panels.

Charles Radcliffe, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), stressed the need for States to be accountable for ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities. Daniela Bas, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), described the UN’s efforts to ensure persons with disabilities can take part in UN conferences, including the forthcoming High-Level Meeting on Disability and Development (HLMDD). Rosangela Berman Bieler, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), highlighted its advocacy network, the Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities. Participants organized many side events, including film screenings, a civil society forum, and events on measuring disability, decent work, social protection and accessible tourism destinations, among others. [COP 6 Webpage] [UN Press Release, 19 July] [Secretary-General’s Statement]