IDA was actively involved in events surrounding the adoption of the 2030 Agenda to highlight the inclusion of persons with disabilities and raise awareness of the crucial importance of their participation in all stages of the process. The 2030 Agenda was negotiated through six sessions of inter-governmental negotiations (IGN) in New York in 2015. The outcome of the IGN was adopted during the United Nations Summit in September 2015 in New York.
IDA activities during the intergovernmental negotiation process included:
- IDA developed a joint position paper with IDDC on indicators which was shared with Member States and the UN Statistical Commission
- IDA produced an official submission on behalf of persons with disabilities to the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) which was endorsed by 109 organisations of persons with disabilities. The submission became part of the official documentation of the HLPF and accordingly was translated to the six official languages.
- Lead the development of the “HLPF Working Group” of Major Groups and other Stakeholders, established in February 2015 to respond to the rights and responsibilities outlined for civil society in the HLPF modalities resolution 67/290. IDA is the representative voice of persons with disabilities within the group’s membership.
- IDA spoke at the official meeting of ECOSOC at the High-level Segment in 2015 and emphasized the fundamental change for persons with disabilities from MDGs to SDGs.
IDA was invited to participate in the Steering Committee to select 17 civil society speakers for the Summit, due to our active engagement during the process of developing Agenda 2030. As a result, representatives of the disability community filled two civil society speaking slots in the Summit programme.
In addition, IDA supported and participated in activities organized by the International Disability and Development Consortium, Sightsavers and ADD International, comprising a photo exhibition on persons with disabilities on display at the UN in mid-September and a reception for disability stakeholders on September 25.
Read our Bulletin from the Summit here