Distinguished colleagues,
Friends of the international disability and development communities,
Welcome to the Forum on Disability Inclusion and Accessible Urban Development co-organized by UN-DESA and UN-Habitat.
On behalf of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, I would like to extend my appreciation to UN-Habitat for co-organizing and hosting this three-day Forum.
I would also like to extend my appreciation to the African Union, and the African Disability Forum for their collaboration and support for this important Forum.
You are meeting at critical moment.
Last month the international community adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Next year, the Habitat III Conference will reinvigorate the global commitment to sustainable urbanization.
With the 2030 Agenda, world leaders have committed to advancing sustainable, equitable and inclusive development for all, including for the world’s one billion persons with disabilities.
The new agenda includes specific targets for persons with disabilities and accessible urban spaces and design. This reflects the commitment of the international community to advancing inclusive and equitable societies.
Now is the time to shift our attention to implementation. Success will require concrete actions, to follow up and implement this historic international agreement.
Translating international commitments into specific policies and actions that effectively mainstream disability is a challenge.
Achievement of a truly inclusive development agenda – where no one is left behind – requires a holistic and people-centered approach. Governments cannot do it alone. They must engage a broad range of stakeholders to meet this challenge.
Development policies and programming must fully take account of the aspirations, needs and concerns of all people, and involve and engage all members of society, regardless of their status, disability or non-disability.
There is also much to be learned from experiences and innovations in urban design and inclusive development, from all regions around the world. There is a great deal that experts, practitioners and policy-makers in the disability field can contribute to the New Urban Agenda that will be adopted next year at the Habitat III.
This Forum brings together great minds and diverse experiences in overcoming challenges and promoting successful inclusive and accessible urban development in cities. It is a unique opportunity for experts from Governments, the United Nations, the private sector, civil society and, very importantly, organizations of persons with disabilities to share experiences, strategies and visions to formulate concrete and actionable recommendations for a way forward.
We must work together to make urban design accessible and inclusive of persons with disabilities and to advance the status of persons with disabilities in development.
I wish the Forum great success.
Thank you.