Islamabad : The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Midpoint Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2013-2022) will be held from 27 November to 1 December in Beijing, with countries set to agree on the future policy direction for building disability-inclusive societies in the region.
Asia and the Pacific is home to 690 million persons with disabilities, one in every six persons, and this number is expected to rise due to population ageing, natural disasters, chronic health conditions, road traffic injuries and poor working conditions.
Persons with disabilities are among the most marginalized groups in the region. They are more vulnerable to poverty and unemployment, and their potential to contribute to economic and social development in societies remains unlocked.
Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in cooperation with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), the meeting will provide a platform for countries to promote disability-inclusive development and support the realization of rights of persons with disabilities.
It will review baseline data on progress made in the implementation of the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia-Pacific, and demonstrate how disability-inclusive development will help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Over 30 countries will participate, including ministers and senior officials, as well as representatives from UN agencies and civil society organizations.
The senior officials segment will be held from 27 to 29 November, in preparation for the ministerial segment from 30 November to 1 December.