Web Desk: International Day of Persons with Disabilities is being observed today (Tueday).
This year theme of the day is ‘amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a UN day that is celebrated every year on 3 December.
The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
WHO joins the UN in observing this day each year, reinforcing the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others, and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives.
At its headquarters in Geneva, WHO organizes an annual IDPD event to educate the public, raise awareness, advocate for political will and resources, and celebrate WHO’s achievements.
2024 Theme: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future
The leadership of persons with disabilities is epitomised by the global disability rights movement’s slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us”. It connotes the basic requirements of participation, representation and inclusion and calls for persons with disabilities to actively shape the conditions of their lives.
The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy
When launching the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy in June 2019, the Secretary-General stated that the United Nations should lead by example and raise the Organization’s standards and performance on disability inclusion—across all pillars of work, from headquarters to the field.
Commemorative Event: 3 December 2024
The commemorative event to be held at the UN Headquarters in New York to mark this year’s IDPD will consist of an in-person opening segment and a virtual panel.
10am-11am (in-person): Opening Segment
The opening segment will provide a policy overview of the global disability agenda over the past year, as well as look forward to key global policy milestones ahead. The overview will encompass developments and achievements following the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (17th session), the 79th session of the General Assembly and the Summit of the Future, as well as discuss the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development (2025) and ongoing efforts to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for, with and by persons with disabilities.
11:30am-1:15pm (online): Panel Discussion
The panel discussion, following the opening segment, will be organised in a virtual format, engaging experts, advocates and leaders in the global disability rights movement and highlighting emerging trends and opportunities for amplifying the voices, agency and action of persons with disabilities in key areas related to disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development.
The following discussion points will structure the panel discussion:
The upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development;
Five-year anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2475;
The current climate crisis affecting people and planet as a whole.
Concept note
