07.06.2019 CBM to be well-represented at the COSP this month

Yasmine (4 months) received glaucoma treatment from a CBM partner eye hospital
Yasmine received glaucoma treatment at a CBM partner eye hospital in Cameroon.
©CBM

The 12th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (COSP) will take place from 11-13 June 2019 at the UN Headquarters in New York. On the margins of COSP, there are two important events: (1) on Monday, 10 June, the civil society forum will take place at the UN and (2) on Friday, 14 June an all-day disability data workshop for organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) will take place outside of the UN. The workshop is being co-led and funded by CBM, in partnership with UNICEF, the International Disability Alliance, the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities, and the Washington Group on Disability Statistics.

As background, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the General Assembly by its resolution 61/106 on 13 December 2006. It came into force on 3 May 2008 upon its 20th ratification. 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.”

So why is COSP important? COSP is special since not all human rights treaty bodies have annual meetings for their States parties to report back on relevant activities and progress. COSP creates the important space for persons with disabilities to meet fellow States Parties, to network, and to share ideas and influence policies and programs. 

Regarding CBM’s involvement at COSP, we have a strong delegation this year. CBM colleagues attending include David Bainbridge, International Director for CBM International; Mirjam Gasser, Head of Advocacy; CBM Switzerland; and members of CBM’s DID Initiative team: Mary Keogh, Director, Disability Inclusive Development Initiative; Briana Wilson, Senior Disability Inclusion Advisor; and Elizabeth Lockwood, UN representative.

CBM and our partners will be well represented, especially through side events in which we are supporting, co-sponsoring, moderating or presenting, including:

In addition, CBM is co-sponsoring an event with the International Disability Alliance commemorating its 20th anniversary. CBM will receive an award for our partnership with IDA.

Please stay tuned for updates during the conference and follow the twitter handles: @LockwoodEM @CBMworldwide  @CBMAustralia  @CbmSchweiz