MEDIA ADVISORY
Advancing disability rights: United Nations Conference to mark historic progress while addressing critical implementation gaps
Follow LIVE on UN Web TV
WHAT:
While the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) marks two decades of historic progress—including strengthened global laws, greater public visibility, and the integration of disability rights into the Sustainable Development Goals—critical gaps remain. Worldwide progress is uneven, as persons with disabilities continue to face disproportionate levels of exclusion, poverty and violence.
This year’s landmark Conference, held under the theme “CRPD at 20: celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase”, will focus on these critical issues, highlighting practical solutions, policy innovation and partnerships to accelerate implementation of the Convention. Government representatives, senior UN officials, youth advocates, civil society representatives, experts from academia and the private sector, and persons with disabilities from across the world are expected to attend.
Additionally, the Civil Society Forum on 8 June 2026 will host an interactive dialogue between States Parties, United Nations leaders, and civil society stakeholders. A broad programme of side events will take place during the Conference.
WHEN:
9–11 June 2026 | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm EDT
WHERE:
General Assembly Hall and Conference Room 4, United Nations Headquarters, New York. Follow live on UN Web TV.
WHO:
The opening session will feature high-level statements from:
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António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
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Sofia Borges, Chef de Cabinet (on behalf of Annalena Baerbock, the President of the General Assembly)
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Miyeon Kim, Chairperson, Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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Heba Hagrass, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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Santosh Kuman Rungta, Civil Society Representative from the World Blind Union
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Nilshani De Silva, Youth Representative from Sri Lanka
Programme details, participation, and media materials are available at:
https://social.desa.un.org/cosp/19th-session
Engage via social media by using the hashtags: #COSP19, #CRPD20, #DohaDeclaration
and by following these accounts:
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On Facebook: United Nations, @joinundesa, @GlobalGoalsUN
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On Twitter: @UN, @UNDESA, @UNDESASocial, @UN_Enable, @GlobalGoalsUN
MEDIA CONTACTS
Martin Samaan |UN Department of Global Communications | E: samaanm@un.org
Helen Rosengren | UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | E: rosengrenh@un.org
Amine Lamrabat |UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | E: lamrabat@un.org