10.06.2016 Countdown to the 9th session of COSP

The 9th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD kicks off on Tuesday, 14 June until 16 June at the UN Headquarters in the lovely New York City. We have many colleagues from CBM attending this year, including Diane Kingston (IAA), Maleni Chaitoo (my stellar intern), Kathy Al Ju’beh (DID), Maegan Shanks (DID), and our partner Risna Utami from Indonesia.

Background
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) was adopted by the General Assembly by its resolution 61/106 of 13 December 2006. It came into force on 3 May 2008 upon its 20th ratification. Article 40 of the UN CRPD stipulates that “The States Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties (COSP) in order to consider any matter with regard to the implementation of the present Convention.” COSP is special in that not all human rights treaty bodies have annual meetings of their States parties to report back on what they are doing. COSP creates the important space for persons with disabilities to meet fellow States parties, to network, and to share ideas and influence.

This year’s overarching theme of COSP is “Implementing the 2030 development agenda for all persons with disabilities: Leaving no one behind.” Sub-themes include:

  • Eliminating poverty and inequality for all persons with disabilities
  • Promoting the rights of persons with mental and intellectual disabilities
  • Enhancing accessibility to information and technology and inclusive development
  • Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD


As CBM we are co-sponsoring the side event “Situations of Risk and Humanitarian Emergencies: Article 11 in Practice” on Tuesday 14 June from 1.15pm – 2:30pm, in Conference Room D in which I will present. We are also involved in the side event co-sponsored by IDDC and OHCHR in which I assisted in organizing. The event is called “Bridging the Gap: 2030 Agenda and the CRPD” on Thursday, 16 June from 1:15-2:30 in Room 12. We will also be present and support IDDC members at numerous other side events and meetings, as well as the Civil Society CRPD Forum (on 13 June), which I was involved in planning.

My role is to support our CBM colleagues and partners, as well as IDDC members at COSP. I will chair an informal meeting for CBM and other IDDC members on general information sharing and an update on the High-level Political Forum (HLPF).

Since much of my work focuses on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), I will be asking partners and other persons with disabilities about their involvement and advocacy initiatives on local, national, and regional SDG implementation. I hope to gather information to use as a tool for best practices. If you will be at COSP and want to share, please find me! The more information we have, the better we can advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the implementation of this ambitious global agenda for sustainable development.

We are truly fortunate to have a colleague, Diane, who is also a CRPD Committee Member. This COSP, Diane will be focusing on her campaign so cannot present at any events as it’s a conflict of interest. Click here to read more about Diane’s re-election campaign. Tuesday morning is election morning and afterward Diane will support IDDC members as well as Committee members by attending their side events. She will also provide support at a briefing for newly elected Committee members on Wednesday.

Maleni and Meg will focus on Deaf-related events and DID support and will provide a post-COSP blog.

Following COSP, there will be a two-day training on disability statistics organized by UNICEF, International Disability Alliance, and the Washington Group. Risna, Maleni, and I are all participating in this important and exciting (at least, to me) event.

Please follow us for real-time updates on Twitter here: @LockwoodEM, @Diane_CBM, @MaleniChaitoo, @MaeganShanks3, @risnawati_utami


Additional Information
The Civil Society CRPD Forum will take place Monday 13 June 2016, 9:30am – 1:00pm and will be webcast live at http://webtv.un.org/

COSP9 Information

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