The global disability movement and the United Nations celebrate the 20th anniversary of the the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) this June.https://www.youtube.com/embed/sZCa2_sMKW4?si=Z9BIzbsH9g9fLleL
The 2026 Conference of State Parties (COSP) was the occasion to celebrate this big moment in disability rights.
The Conference of State Parties is a big meeting in New York every year, attended by disability organisations and by countries which signed the UN CRPD.
Rights of people with intellectual disabilities on the agenda
Inclusion International made sure people with intellectual disabilities took part in COSP. Self-advocates, families and allies from around the world shared experiences and push for stronger rights and inclusion.
One event was called “Nothing About Us Without Us: Self-Advocates Moving from Participation to Representation.” It was hosted by Down Syndrome South Africa and the African Down Syndrome Network. Self-advocates with Down syndrome from across Africa spoke about leadership and decision-making. Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International, joined as a guest speaker.
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the CRPD, the disability movement cannot afford to stop pushing for change — it is only through that push that we will create the truly inclusive world we need to see,” said Jamie Cooke, Executive Director of Inclusion International.
EU delegation
Members of the European Parliament (called MEPs for short) went to the COSP too.
The delegation included MEPs Katrin Langensiepen, Li Andersson, Giusi Princi, Assita Kanko, Rosa Estaras Ferragut, and Alex Agius Saliba.
One event attended by MEPs looked at carers and support givers. It showed that women still carry most of the work when care systems for children and people with long-term support needs are weak, and it discussed how employers can support these informal carers.
The European Commission held an event: About supporting Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and Civil Society.
Back home, the delegation reported on the European Parliament. The MEPs said the visit was very timely, and that it had been an active and well-run delegation.
“We come back full of energy. After 20 years we have laws and rules, but we have to have action now,” said MEP Estaras.
“It was an excellent mission on a personal level,” added MEP Princi.
We hope this visit has given the EU an inspiration to address concerns of UN CRPC Committee.
New CRPD Committee members
The UN CRPD Committee elected 2 new members from Europe, Dovile Juodkaite from Lithuania and Mushegh Hovsepyan from Armania.
Read also:
- Inclusion International: The CRPD Turns 20: Rights Must Mean Something
- EDF: 20 Years of the CRPD: Role of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities