12.05.2016 Upcoming Events at the UN in New York
In the next two months two important events for persons with disabilities will take place at the United Nations Headquarters: (1) the 9th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (14-16 June) and (2) the High-level Political Forum (11-20 July). In addition, on 13 June a civil society forum will occur in the morning and a follow-up panel on the high-level meeting on disability and development (from 2013) in the afternoon. As CBM, we are quite involved in both events and will provide updates and outcomes as relevant. Please continue reading for background information and a timeline of key dates.
Conference of States Parties
Article 40 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (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
High-level Political Forum
The High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development is the central platform for the global follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015.
The HLPF, which adopts a Ministerial Declaration, is expected to start effectively delivering on its mandates to provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations on the 2030 Agenda’s implementation and follow-up, keep track of progress, spur coherent policies informed by evidence, science and country experiences, as well as address new and emerging issues.
The theme of this year’s HLPF is “Ensuring that no one is left behind,” being quite relevant for the rights of persons with disabilities. Click here to read the draft program. Importantly, the HLPF will have national voluntary reviews of 22 countries and thematic reviews of progress on the SDGs, including cross-cutting issues, supported by reviews by the ECOSOC functional commissions and other inter-governmental bodies and forums. In New York in partnership with IDA, we have been reaching out to Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (DPOs) and partners in these 22 countries to ensure that persons with disabilities are included in the reporting process, to disseminate and gather information, to find good practices and gaps, and assess the situation for the coming years.
A highlight is that our IDDC and IDA blog on the 2016 HLPF theme “Ensuring that no one is left behind” is featured on the UN Sustainable Development website this week. Click here to read more.
Please continue reading for dates of upcoming events and deadlines.
Timeline
15 May Countries giving national voluntary reviews at the HLPF 2016 will release short reports
15 May Deadline to apply to have a side event at COSP
1 June Deadline for online NGO registration for COSP
1 June Deadline to register to organize a side event at the HLPF
10 June Deadline to register to attend the HLPF
13 June (morning) Civil Society Forum
13 June (afternoon) Follow-up panel on the High-level Meeting on Disability and Development
14-16 June 9th Conference of States Parties to the CRPD
11-20 July High-level Political Forum | Ministerial Days 18-20 July
18 July Partnership Exchange This will provide a space for dialogue among multi-stakeholder partnerships and government officials, policy makers, UN entities and major groups and other stakeholders, for showcasing the work of multi-stakeholder partnerships in supporting the achievement of the SDGs, ensuring that no one is left behind in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.