Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The 19th global meeting on the rights of persons with disabilities, COSP19, was held at United Nations Headquarters under the theme "Celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world." The conference took place from 9 to 11 June and featured roundtables, elections, and presentations on challenges, solutions, and success stories from around the world. At the opening, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of recognizing the skills and aspirations of all individuals. He described the discussions as a vital step toward greater respect and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a legally-binding agreement adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006 and ratified by 192 countries, serves as the foundation for actions discussed at the conference. Over twenty years later, more than 90 percent of countries have enacted laws guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities. Nonetheless, the latest UN Disability and Development Report shows that indicators related to persons with disabilities in nearly all Sustainable Development Goals are not on track.
Secretary-General Guterres acknowledged that while progress has been made, it is unacceptably slow. He also highlighted global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and economic pressures, noting that many people with disabilities still live in environments not designed for their needs. He expressed optimism that society can be redesigned to be more inclusive. The UN’s Disability Inclusion Strategy aims to ensure this transformation is guided by the insights and experiences of persons with disabilities.
Alongside official sessions, a multi-session Civil Society Forum was held with participants from around the world. The forum focused on building resilient societies and improving accessible civic engagement to enhance leadership opportunities for persons with disabilities.