As the United Nations sets its sights on landmark meetings like the Summit of the Future (September 2024) and the Second World Summit for Social Development (2025), a strategic approach that prioritizes disability rights is crucial. This means embedding persons with disabilities within both the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, to be adopted during the 2024 Summit. By prioritizing their rights, removing discriminatory barriers, and fostering participation in these discussions, the UN can craft solutions that benefit all individuals, building a world that truly leaves no one behind.
Furthermore, the Third Global Disability Summit (GDS), co-hosted by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the Governments of Germany and Jordan, to be held in Berlin on 2-3 April 2025, will be a pivotal meeting in shaping the future of the disability agenda. The GDS is a unique multi-stakeholder global mechanism that seeks to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, especially from the Global South. It is a true partnership between member States and OPDs. The summits aim to bridge the gap between disability inclusion and development cooperation. The GDS entails continuous advocacy with global disability development stakeholders and mobilization of the disability rights movement and its allies.[5]
The high-level participation in the Summit (including Heads of State and Government) represents an outstanding opportunity to raise the level of political engagement and create a renewed sense of priority for disability rights in the international agenda. Recognizing that the GDS is a process beyond the event itself, it is important for States, OPDs and all stakeholders to follow up on all commitments submitted by governments in the context of the Summit and accelerate their fulfillment. Pledges and commitments should be ambitious and aim for profound changes.
Lastly, on 13 December 2026 we will commemorate 20 years of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The international community should prepare for that occasion as a watershed moment to take stock of the significant progress made since the Convention was adopted; reflect on the remaining implementation gaps and the new challenges that have arisen; and renew its commitment to the fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities on the ground.
[5] The White Paper for the Summit is available at: https://www.bmz.de/resource/blob/173656/whitepaper-gds2025.pdf (consulted on June 26, 2024).
Mariana Olivera West
Wilton Park | 25 July 2024
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