Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities at the HLPF 2017: Update #2

In this edition:

1. What happened Monday 10 - Wednesday 12 July
2. Drafting of VNR Statements
3. Coming up
4. In other news

1. What happened Monday 10 - Wednesday 12 July

MONDAY 10th JULY

Opening. Where are we in year two of implementation of the 2030 Agenda?

• The opening of the HLPF this year saw high-level speakers referencing persons with disabilities in opening remarks, including Mr. Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary General of UN DESA, and Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of ECE. Representatives recognized the importance of the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the  implementation of the SDGs.
• During the morning session, Anderson Gitonga, representing the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities (SGPwD), and Chief Executive Director of United Disabled Persons of Kenya, was prepared to stress that “the participation of persons with disabilities at the regional level fostered collaboration with other civil society actors to highlight the cross-cutting impact of poverty on persons with disabilities”. Given time constraints and the limited slots available, he was not able to take the floor. The full speech was submitted to the UN and has been posted on the Portal Smart. Click here to read this prepared statement.

Thematic review: Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world: Addressing multi-dimensions of poverty and inequalities 

The SGPwD delivered a speech in the afternoon session, which was dedicated to addressing multi-dimensions of poverty and inequalities. On behalf of the group, Eeva Tupi called on “all Governments to ensure that their commitments on inclusion are followed by the critical funding needed to fully realize poverty eradication.“ Furthermore, Eeva recommended the collection and disaggregation data by disability, by utilizing the Washington Group Short Set of Questions. Download the statement made by Eeva Tupi. 

Side-event: Beyond Slogans – Good Practice to Count Us All In

• On Monday morning, three members of the SGPwD participated, as speakers, at a side event related to data and ageing. The SGPwD delegation consisted of Berhanu Tefera of the African Disability Forum, Ana Paleaz, Vice-President of the European Disability Forum, and Megan Smith of the IDA Secretariat. The group elaborated upon their engagement at regional level Sustainable Development processes and advocated for governments to use the Washington Group Short Set of Questions. Additionally, representatives of the SGPwD provided recommendations on how to better disaggregate data on disability to fully implement the SDGs.

TUESDAY 11th JULY

Review of SDGs implementation: SDG 1

• During the morning official panel, Jose Maria Viera represented the SGPwD on the official panel. For the video, click here.
• A number of UN Permanent Representatives referenced persons with disabilities in thematic discussion over SDG1, including Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kenya Mission to the UN.

Review of SDGs implementation: SDG 2

• During the session of the implementation of SDG2, Fatma, from Kenya, recommended for governments to “mainstream disability into food programmes, nutrition, and food security efforts”. Download the statement made by Fatma Wangari

Thematic review: Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world: Multi-stakeholder perspectives

• During the afternoon official sessions of the HLPF, Mohammed Loutfy, from Lebanon, welcomed the 44 Governments’ engagement in the VNR and stated that the SGPwD offers all of its resources, knowledge, and expertise to build a binding partnership with the united nations agencies and member states “in order to make this dream possible”.Download the statement made by Mohammed Loutfy.

Major Group and Other Stakeholder morning briefing

On Tuesday morning, the Major Group and Other Stakeholder organized a morning briefing held jointly with the UN DESA, which was chaired by Yetnerbesh Nigussie, representative of the SGPwD, and Senior Inclusion Advisor at Light for the World. The briefing provided an opportunity to assess the first day and to discuss the upcoming day. Questions raised by civil society participants were also addressed.  

WEDNESDAY 12TH JULY

Review of SDGs implementation: SDG 3

• During the official morning session of the HLPF on SDG 3, Sarah Kamau, representing the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities, called for Governments to “ensure non-discrimination and respect of the autonomy of persons with disabilities, and train health staff accordingly, paying particular attention to the multi-dimentional forms of discrimination faced by girls and women with disabilities”. Sarah also recommended for governments to “ensure that public health financing and health insurances are fully inclusive of persons with disabilities, and that any discrimination by health insurance companies is prohibited”. Download the statement made by Sarah Kamau.

Review of SDGs implementation: SDG 5

• A second session covered SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, with Ana Paleaz, from the European Disability Forum presenting remarks. Ana Paleaz’s statement will be available on the IDA website.

Thematic review: Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world – taking forward the SAMOA Pathway

• During the afternoon session, Fauzia Mwita, on behalf of the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities, also provided remarks. Fauzia’s statement will be available on the IDA website.

Side-event: Multi-stakeholder engagement in national reviews: a dialogue between VNR Countries and Major Groups and other Stakeholders

• On Wednesday evening, the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities took part in the event “Multi-stakeholder engagement in national reviews: a dialogue between VNR Countries and Major Groups and other Stakeholders”. The side-event aimed to foster a discussion on what are some of the lessons learned from the national level stakeholder engagement during the two first years of implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
• During the side-event, Judith Ekaete Umoh, of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, reiterated “the shrinking space of CSOs involvement at national level is a threat for SDGs implementation…extensive media coverage to make sure there is a continuous engagement between citizens, CSOs and members states as duty bearers and right holders should be one of the strategies to create awareness”.

2. DRAFTING OF VNR STATEMENTS

• The representatives of the SGPwD are engaging with other reps from Civil Society Organisations all over the world in drafting statements and questions to be asked during the High-Level Ministerial week, which starts on Monday 17 July. As of Wednesday evening the SGPwD has contributed to 15 country statements, which are to be delivered next week. 

3. COMING UP

• If you are in New York tomorrow - Thursday 13 July - please join the SGPwD for their side-event titled: “Sharing national experiences of persons with disabilities regarding multiple & cross-cutting discrimination as core issues contributing to poverty”. The event will take place from 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm in Conference Room 5, at UN Headquarters. Lunch will be provided.
• Don’t miss! Caucus Meeting of the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities. Join the meeting in person at the UN in New York (room 1525 in the Secretariat building) or join by conference call! Registration URL https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4418585772280152577 Webinar ID: 250-707-627. 

4. OTHER NEWS

• Rebecca Alitsi, of the International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus delivered an interview with UN News Kiswahili. Watch the full interview here.