Third Committee, 25th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 80th session

Good afternoon. The 25th meeting of the Third Committee at the 80th sessions of the General Assembly is called to order. Before proceeding, I would like to inform delegates that pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 53/14, paragraph 3, this meeting is held in an accessible format with international sign language interpretation and closed captioning. The report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, contained in document A/18/170, has been made available in braille and easy-to-read version. I now invite the Committee to continue its consideration on agenda item 71, entitled Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, and its sub-items A to D. I wish to remind delegations that the deadline for the submission of draft proposals under this agenda item is at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 4 November. This afternoon, the Committee will first hold a combined briefing with the presenter on the right of persons with disabilities, followed by a presentation on minority issues. The Committee will first hear the two introductory presentations on the right of persons with disabilities, before proceeding to a joint interactive dialogue, during which delegations can make comments or pose questions to one or both presenters. I now welcome our distinguished speakers on the right of persons with disabilities. the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Mi-Yeon Kim, who is joining with us virtually, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Heba Haggas. Participants wishing to make comments and pose questions to one or both speakers are invited to press the microphone button within the next six minutes, after which the list will be closed. The time limit for each speaker will be announced before the floor is given to the first intervention. I thank you for your cooperation. I first invite the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Miyeon Kim. Dear Ms. Kim, good afternoon. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair, Excellencies. I am honored to present an oral report on the Committee's work during 2025 and to share both the challenges and the hopes in advancing the full realization of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This year, the Committee held its 32nd and 33rd session in Geneva amid the severe liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations. Despite this constrict, the Committee continued to fulfill its mandate with professionalism and commitment, reviewing reports, adopting list of issues, and consideration communication to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities. However, meeting time was reduced to 12 working days instead of 20, and the committee was unable to review all scheduled reports. More than 13 state parties have yet to undergo their first review, contributing to backlog of 54 reports representing a delay of nearly five years. We therefore urge the General Assembly to ensure stable and predictable funding for all treaty bodies, because human rights cannot depend on financial convenience. Furthermore, many members of the Committee themselves are persons with disabilities, continue to face barriers due to the lack of reasonable accommodation during meetings. Accessibility is not a privilege, but a human right. The Committee deeply regret that national sign language interpretation for deaf members was not provided fully during the two sessions this year and has been excluded from the official UN budget. This decision contradicts the Secretary-General's disability inclusion strategy and undermines the principle of accessibility that the United Nations itself must uphold. True inclusion must begin with the UN so that it may credibly lead by example. Despite this, the Committee continued its substantive work with determination, including the drafting of a general comment on Article 11, situation of risk and humanitarian emergencies, and Article 29, participation in political and public life. In this time of growing instability and humanitarian crisis, persons with disabilities face heightened threat to their safety and dignity. Our work on Article 11 with the General Comment is particularly significant as it seeks to strengthen protection and inclusion in context of crisis, including armed conflict, natural disasters and public health emergencies. During the 33rd session, the Committee held an open dialogue in Geneva with persons with disabilities from conflict-affected regions such as Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, together with UN agencies and State Parties. Participants shared moving testimonies of how people with disabilities are too often left behind during evacuations, rescue lists, and deprive medical care, assistive devices, and rehabilitation services. Each conflict not only destroys infrastructure, but also creates new disabilities and deep psychological trauma. From the Committee's perspective, war itself has become a disability issue, creating new impairments, defending exclusion, and denying dignity to those most at risk. The Committee welcomes recent ceasefire efforts and expresses hope that they will mark a turning point towards peace and inclusive recovery. We call upon all parties, humanitarian actors and donors to ensure that disability inclusion is At the core of reconstruction, through accessible infrastructure, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and the meaningful participation of organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are already among the world's poorest population, are being pushed into even deeper poverty than ever before amid war, climate crisis, natural disasters and global economic recession. At this crucial moment, the international community has demonstrated renewed solidarity through the Amman-Berlin Declaration adopted last April in Berlin and endorsed by over 90 State Parties to the CRPD. together with United Nations agencies and organizations of persons with disabilities. The Committee warmly welcomed this declaration which represents an inspiring commitment under Article 32 of the Convention on international cooperation reaffirming that global partnership is essential to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. As we approach next year, 2026, marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention, its transformative legacy is evident. The CRPD redefined human rights by recognizing intersectional discrimination and embedding equality and dignity for all humanity. Let this anniversary be not a reflection on unfulfilled promise, but a renewed commitment to ensure that no one is left behind because of disability. I call on all member states to let us by the convention, strengthening support through the General Assembly and joining in shaping a shared vision for the next 20 years, a plan of hope for 1.3 billion persons with disability around the world and their families. With 193 state already parties, we look forward to those not yet among them, including the United States, Palau, Kiribati, Tonga and the Holy See, so that no country stands apart from this shared journey. Together, let us ensure that through the rights of persons with disabilities, humanity itself moves closer to the full realization of human rights. I thank you so much.

I thank the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I next invite the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Heba Agras. Ms. Agras, you have the floor. Thank you.

Thank you. Chairpersons, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I am honored to engage in this interactive dialogue for the second time since assuming the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2023. This has been a remarkable year for persons with disabilities. The third global disability summit in April brought together nearly 5,000 participants from 160 countries. At the summit, 74 governments endorsed the Berlin Amman Declaration, committing to advance the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and promoting disability inclusive international development cooperation and humanitarian action. In 2026, we will mark the 20th anniversary of the Convention, an opportunity to take stock and reaffirm to the full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities. In 20 years, the Convention has achieved near universal ratification. These milestones highlight broad support, but also undermine the urgent need for concrete action and funding. Excellencies, I am deeply concerned by finding cuts in international development and humanitarian action, which affects the rights-based advocacy, service delivery, and the functioning of many organizations of persons with disabilities. Their voices are essential in identifying barriers and ensuring meaningful participation in policymaking. The funding crisis has also impacted on my mandate and on other UN human rights mechanisms, and it has reduced the UN capacity for disability mainstreaming inclusion and operation, including in peace, security and humanitarian response. And at the national level, we see cases of regression in social security and support services for persons with disabilities. Distinguished delegates, these trends have direct impact on individuals and communities. In the report I am presenting today to the Third Committee, I highlight the barriers that children with disabilities and their families face in enjoying their human rights. Everywhere in the world, families have been expected to shoulder care and support needs of children with disabilities in absence of adequate public infrastructure services. Frequently, the only alternative they were offered are residential institutions and therefore separation. Children with disabilities have the right to grow up in a family, access mainstream education and receive support services, including healthcare, transport, sports, culture, individualized support, assistive devices, and rehabilitation. However, the extra cost linked to raising a child with a disability are mostly carried by families. In some countries, these extra costs surpass the national average income. Moreover, family caregivers face discrimination by association with the person of disability, which is a form of disability-based discrimination. This creates barriers, for example, to gain and mainstream employment, pension rights, and be included and welcome in public spaces. The cycle of poverty and exclusion is thus reinforced. A significant gender dimension exists as it is largely women, especially mothers, who assume the role of the primary caregivers. Due to the persistence of gender stereotypes, ideal of motherhood and ableist attitude, women are often expected to give their time, economic independence and social lives to provide unpaid care for a child with a disability with minimal support except for pity and glorification of their self-sacrifice. But pity and admiration alone do not provide financial stability, health and inclusion for mothers and children. My report details promising practices and concrete recommendations on right-based support to family caregivers and children with disabilities. Holistic, integrated and inclusive approaches are needed to ensure children growing in stable, healthy family environment. This gives them the best chance for lifelong inclusion and empowers independent living in the community. Excellencies. Caregivers and children with disabilities have too often been overlooked in our laws and policies. As we move towards inclusive, human rights-based care and support systems, we have the opportunity to ensure that every child with a disability enjoys the right to a family life, support and responsive and equitable policies. This is also a crucial step towards preventing institutionalization and recognizing the vital, often unpaid care work carried largely by women. I urge member states to consider these recommendations when developing and implementing national policies and strategies on care and support. These frameworks provide key opportunities to address the needs of both those providing and requiring care and support. Family caregivers and children with disabilities are uniquely positioned to contribute to both perspectives. Thank you all.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities for her speech. I will now open the floor for questions or comments on one or both presentations. As per past practice, I will ask the delegation to limit their comment to 1.5 minutes. Thank you for your kind cooperation. I now give the floor to distinguished representative of Spain, followed by Mexico and Luxembourg. Spain, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Spain aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the EU. Spain wishes to thank the CRPD for their work, represented here by Ms. Miyeon Kim. The current global context means we must keep our guard up when it comes to ensuring compliance with the Convention and defence of the rights of persons with disabilities. The conclusions of the 18th Conference of the States Parties to the CRPD and the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville call on us to strengthen multilateralism and cooperation from a disability perspective, avoiding discrimination and increasing poverty, with special attention paid to women and girls with disabilities. We thank the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Heba Hegras, for drafting the report on the provision of care and support to children with disabilities in the family environment and its gender dimension. Spain shares its conclusions and they will be taken into account in our future actions. Finally, we highlight the commitment in our foreign policy to the rights of persons with disabilities and our duty to its international agenda from the perspective of multilateralism and cooperation through our Special Ambassador on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Spain. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Mexico.

Thank you. Mexico is grateful to the Special Rapporteur and the Chair of the Committee for the presentation of their respective reports that offer a holistic vision of the progress and challenges in guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities. We value the complementary approach from both documents. On the one hand, the need to strengthen care systems that are based in communities, and on the other hand, to consolidate a normative framework aligned with a rights-based system. disability rights. Care work continues to be non-remunerated and carried out essentially by women, and this perpetuates cycles of poverty and exclusion. We agree that recognising the emotional dimension and the mental health aspect of caregivers is essential to ensure the continuity of support from childhood through to adult life. Mexico will continue working to build a national care system with a cross-cutting priority to guarantee the right to care and to equitably redistribute the responsibility for this across families, the community and the state. We will continue to strengthen national mechanisms for implementation of the Convention in accordance with the Paris Principles. We agree with the Committee that the contexts of crisis and poverty and conflict increase the barriers faced by persons with disabilities. The speaker's microphone has been cut off.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Luxembourg on behalf of Benelux countries. Luxembourg will be then followed by Cuba, Croatia, Myanmar and Poland.

Thank you, Chair. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Benelux countries: Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and my own country, Luxembourg. Madame Special Rapporteur, we commend you and your team for this comprehensive report, and we are especially appreciative of your focus on the gender dimension of care for children with disabilities within family environments. We are deeply concerned that women and girls continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care work, often at the expense of their economic security and full participation in public life. The long-term consequences of this imbalance are unacceptable and demand urgent attention. We would like to know what are some of the best practices you have witnessed to make sure that the needs and voices of caregivers and of children with disabilities are adequately heard and reflected in policy decision. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Luxembourg. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba, followed by Russia and Myanmar.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Cuba defends a human rights-based approach to the protection and attention to persons with disabilities. This is shown in the legislative progress that has occurred since 2019 in our country, together with the code of the family and childhood, youth and young people. The continuing blockade of the US against Cuba actually covers the needs for prostheses with the auditory capacities, whereas 30 minutes covers the total cost of wheelchairs in the entire education system. These are provided free of charge to those who need it, and the blockade is thus a major obstacle to this approach. In Cuba, persons with disabilities are organized through civil society associations that participate actively in the design, control and evaluation of public policies. in this area. One example of this is the creation in 2023 of the Cuban Association of Persons with Disabilities with Intellectual Disabilities. This has been crucial in the defense of human rights of these individuals. We have also promoted technical cooperation actions with the Office of the High Commissioner as well as UN accredited organizations in Cuba. We'd like to know the opinion of the Rapporteur on the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with disabilities. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Croatia.

Thank you, Chair. Croatia aligns with the statement by the European Union. We thank We thank Ms. Kim and Ms. Hagras for their important presentations. Croatia commends the focus on inclusive support systems as emphasized in the latest reports. We also warmly thank Special Rapporteur Hagras for her support to the resolution on deafblindness adopted this year and led by Croatia with Antigua and Barbuda, Djibouti, Jordan, and the United Republic of Tanzania. This historic resolution, the first in the General Assembly to address that deafblindness is a distinct disability, recognizes the need for dedicated policies and services for persons who are deafblind. Croatia fully supports a call for a human rights-based approach, and in this regard, we would like to ask the Special Rapporteur and the Chair of the Committee how States can better support caregivers, especially parents of children with complex and lesser-known disabilities such as deafblindness. through practical mechanisms and social protection measures, ensuring that care responsibilities never become a source of exclusion and poverty. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Croatia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Myanmar, followed by Poland and Portugal, then Cyprus and Brazil. Myanmar, you have the floor.

Thank you. I thank the briefer for their statement. Since the illegal coup in Myanmar, the person with disability have been facing targeted violence and human right abuses. Over 110 PWDs, including women and girls, were killed by the junta. People with mobility or sensory impairments are particularly vulnerable in conflict setting. At least 26% of those being killed were burned alive in their home when the military torch the entire villages. Mentally or intellectually impaired individuals experience more elevated risk during the indiscriminate attacks. Some people with disability have died due to starvation and lack of access to medical care due to the hunters blockage. 5.9 million people in Myanmar are persons with disability living in constant fear without guarantee on their right to live. As long as the junta continues its existence and its atrocities against the civilians, including PWDs, the numbers will increase persistently and the rights will be violated further by the junta. In this regard, the junta's planned sham elections must be rejected accordingly. We ask the Myanmar Special Rapporteur and the international community for your unwavering support towards the people of Myanmar. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Myanmar and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland.

Chair, we wish to express our appreciation to the Chair of the Committee and to the Special Rapporteur for their efforts to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities globally.

Madam Chair, we commend your.

Leadership and that of the Committee in advancing the implementation of the CRPD and addressing barriers to.

Full and equal participation. Domestically, Poland continues to invest in programmes that enhance the quality of life of persons with including funding for respite care and personal assistance services. In 2025, we allocated 1.3 billion euros for personal assistance, demonstrating our strong commitment to inclusion and autonomy. Madam Special Rapporteur, we fully share your emphasis on the need to strengthen inclusive, community-based, and gender-responsive support systems that uphold the rights of both children with disabilities and their caregivers. Our national strategy for persons with disabilities 2021 to 2030 aligns closely with the priorities identified in your report.

The strategy focuses on support for families and caregivers.

Including the expansion of personal and family assistance services, as well as targeted measures to advance the institutionalization. We also share your deep concern about the alarming prevalence of violence against children with disabilities. In this regard, as we continue to strengthen our national policies, we would appreciate your views on how Member States can best prevent and address violence, harmful practices and discrimination against children with disabilities, and would welcome examples of best practices.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Poland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Portugal, who will be followed by Cyprus, Brazil, Georgia, Malaysia, and Ukraine. Portugal, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Portugal welcomes the Special Rapporteur and the Chair of the Committee and thanks them for the presentation of their reports. Systemic barriers and limited accessibility continue to hinder the full effective and meaningful participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of public life. Portugal commends the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for its substantive work in overseeing the implementation of the Convention, and we regret the current financial constraints imposed to the work of the treaty bodies, which significantly hamper the fulfilment of their mandates. Agency and equitable opportunities for persons with disabilities are key rights, as well as the development of adequate care and support systems through a human rights-based and gender-responsive approach that properly protect the caregivers of persons with disabilities. Portugal has adopted the Statute of the Informal Caregiver in 2019, enacting into law the rights of these individuals. We thank the Special Rapporteur for addressing the challenges of care and support of children with disabilities within the family environment and its gender dimensions. Can you share good practices on policies implemented by Member States to make existing social protection schemes for families of children with disabilities, in particular regarding extra costs related to disabilities, more accessible? Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Portugal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cyprus, followed by Brazil and Georgia.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to both briefers. Cyprus aligns with the statement to be delivered by the European Union. Cyprus reaffirms its strong commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, including their full inclusion and meaningful participation in all aspects of social, economic, political and public life, recognizing their contribution to social development. In 2024, our new National Disability Action Plan for 2024-2028 was adopted, emphasizing a cross-sectoral approach, collaboration with the private sector, and active cooperation with organizations representing persons with disabilities. Cyprus is focused on strengthening national initiatives, particularly enhancing early childhood intervention and family support, inclusive education, healthcare accessibility, and employment opportunities. Cyprus, as an elected member of the Human Rights Council for 2025-2027, has placed the rights of persons with disabilities at the heart of its priorities. Together with Italy, Iraq and Mexico, we presented in September a joint statement on the cultural rights of persons with disabilities, co-signed by a record high number of 142 States. Madam Special Rapporteur Hagras, we welcome the inclusion of the gender dimension in your report, which we believe is critical. Drawing on your experience, could you share which measures have been most successful in acknowledging unpaid caregiving? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cyprus. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil.

Madam Chair, Brazil thanks for the briefings presented today. We especially thank for the Special Rapporteur's report, which highlights the urgent need to support children with disabilities, their families and caregivers. In Brazil, families benefit from two income support programs. The continuous cash benefit provides pay to low income households with children with disabilities. The inclusion allowance gives extra income to persons with disabilities who enter the formal labor market. Brazil has also advanced in legislation and planning. The Brazilian Inclusion Law of 2015 guarantees inclusive education accessibility. In 2023, the government relaunched the Living Without Limits plan. aimed at expanding inclusive education services, improving school accessibility, and supporting family care. In 2024, Brazil adopted a national care policy, followed by a national care plan to help redistribute unpaid care that still falls mainly on families and women. Other initiatives have also strengthened inclusion in schools that provide assistive technology, specialized teachers, and individualized support. The share of students with disabilities who attend regular classes rose from 60% in 2009 to over 91% in 2023. Brazil still faces challenges, but the country has built a strong foundation to advance equal rights for all children with disabilities. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Brazil and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Georgia, followed by Malaysia and Ukraine.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Firstly, let me underline that improving the social conditions and ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities remains one of the priorities of the government of Georgia. Madam Special Rapporteur Agrest, Your latest report mentions that early childhood care and inclusive education are critical for the long-term development and inclusion of children with disabilities. In this regard, inclusive education has been a key priority for the Ministry of Education and Science under the ongoing reform. The Unified National Strategy of Education and Science of Georgia is underpinned by the principle, leaving no one behind. The adoption of the Law of Georgia on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Georgia's ratification of the Optional Protocol to the CRPD Convention have strengthened the legal foundation for inclusive policies. Madam Special Rapporteur, regrettably, Russia's illegal occupation of Georgia's Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region and severe ongoing human rights violations continue to have a deeply painful impact on vulnerable communities, particularly persons with disabilities. Russia's illegal occupation prevents us from sharing the human rights protection framework with PwDs remaining on the other side of the occupation line. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Georgia and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia, followed by Ukraine and Finland.

Madam Chair, Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with our obligations under the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Guided by the whole of society approach, we are currently amending the Persons with Disability Act 2008 to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are addressed in an inclusive, equal and non-discriminatory manner. Madam Chair, Malaysia supports the Special Rapporteur's call to invest in family and community-based care, strengthening social protection and building inclusive early childhood programs. We also stress that international cooperation is crucial for developing countries to advance these commitments sustainably. As Chair of ASEAN this year, Malaysia will continue to build on regional momentum to implement the ASEAN Enabling Master Plan 2025 by building by providing continued support to mainstream disability perspectives into all ASEAN Community Blueprints. In this context, we wish to ask the Special Rapporteur what practical measures should States prioritise to strengthen comprehensive family-centred support systems so that all caregivers are empowered to provide an enabling environment for children with disabilities. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. Next speaker will be Ukraine, Finland, Republic of Korea, Bangladesh, Malta, Panama, Israel. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ukraine.

Thank you, Chair. Disability inclusion is not optional. It must be foundational. These words of the Chair, Ms. Kim, truly resonate with me, and Ukraine fully shares this conviction. Yet for us, this principle has become not a matter of choice, but a matter of survival. Ukraine also thanks the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Hargreaves, for presenting her report. Russia's war of aggression has drastically changed the lives of millions. Since February 2022, the number of persons with disabilities in Ukraine has increased by more than 300,000, now exceeding 3 million people. The consequences are especially severe in the temporary occupied territories. Many children with disabilities have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia, deprived of their Ukrainian identity and subjected to systematic indoctrination, acts that cause lifelong trauma and aim to erase their sense of self. But inclusion cannot exist without justice. That is why Ukraine calls on all Member States to ensure accountability for Russia's crimes, particularly those committed against people with disabilities. Madam Rapporteur, we would like to ask: what is the best way to ensure that persons with recently acquired disabilities feel genuinely integrated into society? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ukraine and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Finland, followed by Republic of Korea and Bangladesh. Sorry, your microphone is off.

Okay.

Madam Chair, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic States. We thank both mandate holders for their valuable work and contributions. Special Rapporteur Haggar has highlighted that the issue of children with disabilities in family settings is often overlooked, particularly the gendered dimensions of care. Families of children with disabilities encounter barriers, including limited access to services, restrictive benefit systems and complex bureaucracies. It is important to develop inclusive and human rights based support systems, ensure access to public services as well as to recognize family caregivers through legal and policy measures. Persons with disabilities face higher risks and in proportional impacts in conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Yemen and Haiti, to name a few. The committee has reported on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, with at least 90,000 persons with disabilities, out of whom 70% women and children, and at least 21,000 children with disabilities in as a result of impairments acquired since 7 October 2023. We call all parties to comply with article 11 of the CRPD and the recommendations given by the Committee in its report.

I thank the distinguished representative of Finland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea, followed by Bangladesh and Malta.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Republic of Korea shares the Special Rapporteur's view that the rising voices of children with disabilities and of caregivers are too often marginalized, especially those of women. My delegation notes that our gender-responsive and disability-inclusive approach, underpinned by the international human rights frameworks, is vital to our shared commitment to ensuring no one is left behind. We also believe that care and support for persons with disabilities should not fall solely upon families, but must be recognized as a shared social responsibility in building an inclusive society. In this respect, my government is working to establish an integrated care and support system to ease the burden on families and promote the full enjoyment of human rights for all. to the Special Rapporteur, I'd like to ask how can states effectively translate the CRPD's concept of reasonable accommodation in the tangible matters that better support caregivers. Finally, the Republic of Korea extends its appreciation to Ms. Miyoung Kim, Chair of the Committee, for her leadership and commends the Special Rapporteur for her continued dedication. The Republic of Korea will continue its earmarked contribution to further enhance the functioning of the treaty bodies and join the global effort to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities worldwide. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea, and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bangladesh.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We thank the briefers for their comprehensive reports. We particularly thank the Special Rapporteur for highlighting the barriers faced by children with disabilities and their caregivers, and the gendered burden on women in her report. Ahead of the second World Summit for Social Development next month, Bangladesh remains steadfast in its commitment to inclusive development that leaves no one behind. Our constitution guarantees equal rights and dignity for all, including persons with disabilities. Since ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, we have advanced disability-inclusive development through robust legal and policy frameworks. Bangladesh successfully completed a national survey in 2021 as a strong commitment to improving data on disability. Disability is integrated into our education and skills development policies. Bangladesh joined the Marrakesh Treaty in 2022. Our government provides rehabilitation and therapy services, special schools for children with autism, free assistive devices, and disability allowances under social safety nets. We are expanding technology-based training programs, conducting caregiver awareness programs, and enforcing disability-friendly building codes. Madam Chair, continued support through financial assistance, flexible work arrangement, childcare, giving responsibility, combating stigma through education and awareness, as well as mental health services remains critical. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bangladesh. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malta, followed by Panama and Israel.

Thank you, Chair. Malta aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union. We would also like to thank the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for her report and today's presentation. The challenges faced by children with disabilities and their caregivers are complex and deeply rooted. As they continue to struggle for basic rights, support and inclusion in some communities, children with disabilities and their caregivers are left uniquely vulnerable. We agree with the Special Rapporteur that children with disabilities have the right to grow up in a stable family environment, and that this right must be upheld through accessible community-based care and adequate support for their caregivers. Building on the findings of the Special Rapporteur, Malta remains concerned about many barriers that prevent children with disabilities and their caregivers from their full enjoyment of human rights, including difficulty in accessing essential services such as education, healthcare, rehabilitation and assistive technology. Chair, Malta echoes the call of the Special Rapporteur for integrated, adequate and accessible social protection and support services for children with disabilities. By removing barriers to participation, we enable them to reach their full potential and actively contribute to social development. In this regard, we would appreciate the Special Rapporteur's insights on best practices for ensuring that inclusive systems remain adaptable to the evolving needs of children with disabilities and their caregivers. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malta and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Panama.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Panelists, we are grateful to you for the reports presented. The inclusion of persons with disabilities is not just a moral imperative, but an essential condition for social development. and for the cross-cutting role played by persons for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Panama was one of the first countries to sign and ratify this convention in 2007 as we are aware of its transformative nature. Since then we have moved from commitment to action guided by a human rights approach for inclusion and substantive equality. According to our national disability survey, more than 10% of our population lives with some type of disability. This reality drives us to strengthen data-based public policies that are focused on individuals and oriented to respect of their rights. As we approach the World Social Summit, we should support full inclusion, economic and social inclusion of persons with disabilities. So we'd like to ask you, how can the international community strengthen mechanisms for human rights and accessibility to ensure that no person is left behind?

I thank the distinguished representative of Panama. Next five speakers will be Israel, Chile, Burkina Faso, Australia, and Russian Federation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Israel.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The report of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities presented today rightly recalls the case concerning the disappearance and captivity of two Israeli citizens with psychosocial disabilities, Mr. Efraim Angisto and Mr. Hisham El-Sayid, who were held in captivity in brutal conditions in Gaza for over 10 years. Both men were held by Hamas without access to medical care, legal protection, or contact with their families. Since their recent release, They have had to undergo an intense rehabilitation process. Regarding Special Rapporteur's report, we wish to bring attention to those who were murdered and kidnapped during the October 7th terror attack, which included persons with disabilities alongside their caregivers. Israel urges all member states to condemn the taking of persons with disabilities as hostages, to demand accountability for those grave violations, and to ensure rehabilitation, medical care, and psychosocial support for all those who suffered captivity. We would appreciate hearing from the Special Rapporteur as we continue to strengthen our national program for rehabilitation, trauma recovery, and community reintegration for persons with disabilities affected by terrorism and armed conflict. I would like to ask what would the recommendation to those caring for persons living with PTSD and other mental health conditions caused by two years of ongoing war, those who care for released hostages?

I thank the distinguished representative of Israel. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Chile, followed by Burkina Faso and Australia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We thank the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for her report. Chile shares her call for concrete measures to guarantee the inclusion of children, boys and girls with disabilities, and the people who care for them. We reiterate the importance of formulating and implementing comprehensive community-based policies and services advancing towards the deinstitutionalization of persons with disabilities. We also recognize that it's crucial that social protection support services be accessible and well-coordinated with effective management that makes life easier for persons with disabilities and their families. Chile also supports the rapporteur's recommendation aimed at promoting gender equality in the provision of care services. Women, and especially mothers, continue to bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. In this regard, Chile is implementing a national care system that promotes new social organization of care based on joint social responsibility and gender balance to redistribution of care tasks across the state, the private sector, communities and families. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Chile and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso.

Madam la President.

Chair, my delegation would like to congratulate Special Rapporteur on her report, which focuses on the need for care and family support for children with disabilities. My delegation believes that the best way of guaranteeing well-being and development of children is ensuring that they can develop in a safe and healthy family environment. Family is an area where its members of the family can flourish and the code of people, persons and the family of Burkina Faso stipulates that children, including children with disabilities cannot be separated from their parents unless their greater interest is at stake. In addition, in terms of Article 49 of our law on the promotion of the rights of people with disabilities, the government can provide any person with disability financial aid or appropriate material support within their parental authority. Also, initiatives and programs for support and training of parents have also been set up to promote the reintegration of children with disabilities from care homes. In addition to awareness raising campaigns and accuracy to put an end to discrimination and stigmatisation against children with disabilities within families and in the community, the Criminal Code and its articles 5321 and subsequent articles punish anyone who mistreats or leaves in solitary a child or someone unable to protect themselves because of their physical or mental state. Thank you.

Of Burkina Faso. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia.

Thank you, Chair. Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur and the Committee for their important work. We welcome the focus of the Special Rapporteur's report on children with disabilities and their caregivers, as well as the importance of inclusive and human rights-based care. and support systems. We also welcome the report and the Committee's attention on the gender dimensions of caregiving, particularly the disproportionate burden placed on women and mothers. It is essential to recognize unpaid care as a barrier to gender equality. We therefore support efforts to promote shared caregiving responsibilities and ensure all caregivers have access to adequate support, social protection, and mental health services. We also recognise the importance of inclusive education, early intervention and assistive technology as key enablers of participation and long-term outcome for children with disabilities. Through Australia's partnership with the AtScale Global Partnership, we are expanding access to assistive technology across the Pacific, enabling school-aged children in seven countries to access screening and high-quality devices. Our National Disability Insurance Scheme also provides tailored lifelong support for Australians with permanent and significant disability, including children. Australia also provides early intervention for children with developmental delay and disability. For caregivers, Australia offers support including social protection payments, counselling, respite care and.

I thank the distinguished representative of Australia. Next speaker will be Russian Federation, Italy, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Austria. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Russian Federation.

Thank you, Chair. Chair, as part of today's meeting, allow me to comment on some questions regarding the work of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We are particularly concerned about the serious backlog at the CPRD in terms of considering national periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention. On our front, I'd like to illustrate this problem with our own example. The combined second, third and fourth periodic reports were submitted by us to the CPRD in October 2022. However, as we've seen from information available on the Committee's website, the list of issues for experts of the CPRDs will only be posted by March 2027. At the same time, the consideration of the reports themselves is planned for March 2031, which is eight and a half years after they were sent. However, It is clear that the large amount of information that's been provided will not be relevant after such a long period of time. At the same time, in line with the provisions of paragraph 2, article 35 of the Convention, states should provide periodic reports no less than once every four years. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Italy, followed by United Kingdom and Nigeria.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Italy aligns with the statement to be delivered by the European Union. We thank the Chair of the Committee and the Special Rapporteur for their important work and support their recommendations. Italy welcomes the Special Rapporteur's report and appreciates the attention devoted to the lived experiences of children with disabilities and their families, in particular mothers and caregivers, and to the importance of listening to voices that are often unheard. Italy remains firmly committed to protecting and promoting the rights of all persons with disabilities, while encouraging the widest possible accession to and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We consider the full realization of non-discrimination, accessibility, effective participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities to be paramount. Enhanced independence, improved quality of life and greater participation in all spheres, including education, culture, employment and sport, are at the core of Italy's commitment. Building on the Solvangano Charter adopted in October 2024 during Italy's G7 presidency, will continue to counter all forms of discrimination and ensure that no person with disabilities is left behind. Madam Special Rapporteur, which community-based services for adults and children can contribute in your view to make inclusion a tangible reality in everyday life? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Italy and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of United Kingdom.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report on care and support for children with disabilities within the family environment. In the UK, we are rolling out a national scheme called Family Help, which provides seamless, non-stigmatising support for families with disabled children, delivered by multidisciplinary community-based teams. The UK is committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and intends to publish a UK.

Government plan for disability.

This will showcase the work already under way to support disabled people and break down the barriers they face, while also setting out the Government's clear vision of support to disabled people in the longer term. The UK values the efforts of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy in mainstreaming disability inclusion across the whole UN system. Its continued implementation is imperative in preventing disability from falling off the UN agenda. The UK values the efforts of the UN disability, apologies. Special Rapporteur, what are your views on how State parties can do more to promote gender equality in the care of disabled children? Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of United Kingdom and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nigeria, followed by Austria and Japan. Sorry, your microphone doesn't work well. Now it seems that it does. Okay, please go ahead. Sorry.

As a state party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we have taken concrete steps to strengthen protection, inclusion and participation at all levels of governance. Nigeria enacted the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and guarantees right to education, employment, health, transport, and public participation. The act also established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to coordinate implementation and monitor compliance. Nigeria recognizes that reliable data is key to effective policy. in collaboration with partners, are strengthening data collection on disability and supported nationwide assessment to identify gaps and guide inclusive planning. Madam Chair, while progress has been made, challenges remain. Persons with disabilities still face barriers in accessing public services, education, healthcare, and employment. Nigeria remains committed to addressing these gaps by enhancing coordination among all levels of government, increasing resources for inclusive infrastructure and services, and ensuring full participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in policy design and implementation. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nigeria and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria.

Thank you, Chair. Madam Special Rapporteur, Austria aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. Thank you for your comprehensive report and your continued dedication to its crucial mandate. We share the concerns highlighted in your report regarding the persistent exclusion and marginalization faced by many children with disabilities. In Austria, our second national action plan on disability guides our cross-government approach to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and advance inclusion in all areas of life, strengthening public awareness and the rights and realities of persons with disabilities, while fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. The Austrian Disability Equality Law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and provides legal measures against discrimination in the field of employment and in everyday life. Madam Special Rapporteur, in your report, you recommend the development and implementation of targeted and awareness-raising initiatives to combat stigma against persons with disabilities within society. Can you highlight particularly promising or impactful awareness-raising initiatives in this regard? Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Austria. Next speaker will be Japan, Qatar, New Zealand, European Union, Oman, Papua New Guinea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to express my sincere gratitude and respect to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Madam Special Rapporteur for their work in this field. Japan places high great importance on the well-being of children with disabilities and their families and caregivers through ensuring the availability of necessary community support from the early stages of identification of a suspected disability. We have implemented and promoted both national and regional support services that are integrated and well-coordinated among related ministries. As the Sr. pointed out, an intersectional approach is indispensable to addressing the full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities. In this regard, Japan is pleased that Mr. Tamon Hiroshi, a member of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities since this January, has been actively engaging in the work of the Committee. In line with the spirit of the Convention, Japan developed an action plan last year to eliminate egotistic attitudes and prejudices against persons with disabilities. Japan reaffirms its commitment to the further implementation of the CRPD.

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Qatar, followed by New Zealand and European Union.

Chair, we would like to thank the chair for her comprehensive intervention. We also welcome the report's reference to the fact that the well-being of children in a secure and safe family environment is the best way to ensure their well-being and growth and to achieve results that benefit them throughout their lives. Qatar is one of the first countries to The State of Qatar is one of the.

First states to sign the CPRD and attaches particular importance to the work that it does to ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in society. A national strategy for families 2025-2030 for care and empowerment is a paradigm shift and also one of the pillars and strategies for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. This work aims to improve their quality of life and increase their contribution. In Doha, we held a technology and autism conference which was an important opportunity to support the implementation and development of innovative solutions that contribute to improving the standards of living for people with autism. The State of Qatar continues to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and we'd like to add the special report to what other efforts and measures can be made, can be undertaken to overcome the remaining obstacles that persist. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Qatar and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of New Zealand.

Thank you, Chair.

New Zealand thanks the Special Rapporteur for her timely report. Families and caregivers play a vital role in supporting children with disabilities, often without adequate formal systems. We are particularly concerned by the disproportionate burden on women, especially mothers, who provide unpaid, unrecognized care and advocacy at significant personal cost. We welcome the Special Rapporteur's recognition of this invisible work and how it can shape parental identities. We echo calls for inclusive support services and progress on implementing the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy. New Zealand is committed to a person-led, rights-based policy and to ensuring meaningful inclusion of disabled people and their families in decision-making. This commitment is reflected in our refreshed National Disability Strategy, which emphasises issues such as access to education and health, and in our international development cooperation, which supports inclusive education, access to assistive technologies and care, and support to organisations of people with disabilities across the Pacific region. New Zealand calls for sustained leadership, accessibility and the full participation of persons with disabilities in shaping the policies that affect them, and for joint action to dismantle the barriers and inequalities they face. To the Special Rapporteur, how can States better support parents to ensure disabled children can be a positive part of family identity?

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of New Zealand. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union, followed by Oman and Papua New Guinea.

Madam Vice Chair, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. Madam Kim, we welcome your constant efforts to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities around the world. Your expertise and that of the Committee under your leadership continues to guide our shared efforts in ensuring the full and equal enjoyment of human rights for all. The European Union remains committed to ensuring the respect, protection and fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities through all aspects of our work, at home and abroad. Persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers in enjoying their rights. That is why the EU reiterates the importance of a human rights-based approach in line with the CRPD. Madam Hageras, your recent report on the care and support for children with disabilities offers valuable perspectives on particularly vulnerable situation that children with disabilities and their families may face. A child's right to grow up in a safe and supportive family environment, irrespective of the child's functional abilities, is dependent on and related to the well-being of their family or caregivers. Madam Special Rapporteur, Madam Chair, please share some examples of best practice as to how States can support families to guarantee the right to family life for.

I thank the distinguished representative of European Union and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Oman.

Saad Al-Terriyeh.

Madam Chair, your excellencies, honorable.

Member States.

The delegation of the Sultanate of Oman would like to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to all the distinguished members of the Committee for their valuable briefings and their continued effort in promoting international awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities and the importance of their full inclusion in society. Madam Chair, the Sultanate of Oman pays special attention to persons with disabilities based on its firm belief in the right of everyone to live in dignity and to.

Participate actively in all areas of life.

The high guidelines embodied this commitment by establishing a specialized sector which.

Will directly supervise the development of services provided to them and enable them to learn, work, and.

Take part in community work in a more comprehensive and effective manner.

The Sultanate of Oman has also worked on the draft law on the rights of persons with disabilities.

Which is in line with the provisions of the international convention, and we have launched the Tahil electronic platform to employ assistive technologies and artificial intelligence in developing rehabilitation and care services. Madam Chair, the Sultanate.

Of Oman affirms that the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities is not merely a legal obligation, but a moral obligation.

The most of this burden impacting the education, livelihoods and well-being. We value the important role of churches and civil society organizations in the country in providing care and rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. Madam Chair, Papua New Guinea is strengthening its response through our 10-year national disability policy. In July this year, our Parliament unanimously passed the National Disability Bill 2025, ensuring inclusive education, early intervention, family-based care, accessible infrastructure, and recognition of caregivers. As a developing country with remote rural communities, we face challenges in support for persons with disabilities. We therefore call for stronger international cooperation and support. Madam Chair, let me conclude with a question for our briefers. As Papua New Guinea develops regulations under its new disability act, what support could the Special Rapporteur provide?

I thank the distinguished representative of Papua New Guinea and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon, followed by Azerbaijan and China.

Thank you, Chair. Chair, my delegation would like to welcome the Chair of the CRPD and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and thank them for their report. Cameroon welcomes the focus put on persons with disabilities and members of their families in the Special Rapporteur's report. It reminds us that family is the fundamental heart of society and it must, in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, be protected by the State and society. This protection is even more necessary for families who have a person with a disability that they care for. Disability can undermine access to full enjoyment of rights, not only for the person with disabilities, but for their families too, particularly mothers. The effects on physical and mental health and on their work life are also significant and require an appropriate solution.

Children with disability and their family members have the right to enjoy family life without being isolated and pushed to the brink because of lack of support and assistance. Diverse form of support can be provided to family caregivers and children within a framework of inclusive and resilient care and support systems. Which of those forms of support provided both by state and society has proven to be the most effective with regard to family life? Could you provide examples of best practices of family-oriented policies and programs for persons with disabilities?

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cameroon. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Azerbaijan.

Madam Chair, full version of the statement will be available on the UN journal. We thank the experts for their briefings. Azerbaijan submits periodic reports on the implementation of measures under the CRPD. Most recently, the combined reports of Azerbaijan were reviewed by the CRPD Committee in 2024. While acknowledging the importance of constructive dialogue with the Committee, Azerbaijan emphasizes that the operational framework is the Convention itself. The Committee should refrain from using harmful political phraseology and should use the geographical names established by the competent national authorities. Azerbaijan has been facing a significant challenge in the post-conflict period arising from massive contamination of the liberated territories by mines and other explosives. The number of mine victims has reached 410 since 2020. In its latest concluding observations, the Committee expressed concern over the extensive presence of landmines in Azerbaijan's territory. The general comment of the CRPD on Article 11 currently under preparation, needs to address the nexus between the landmines threat and disability. Madam Chair, accountability, effective international cooperation and assistance in humanitarian demining efforts are vital for preventing related disability and supporting victims through rehabilitation and social inclusion measures. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Azerbaijan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of China, followed by Timor-Leste and Democratic Republic of Korea.

Madam Chair. China commends the briefings provided by the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Chinese Government has consistently upheld a people-centred development philosophy, respecting and safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities, encouraging their participation in social and political life, and prioritising their social protection, education, employment, and access to public services. China has enacted over 19 laws directly related to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. The law on the construction of barrier-free environments entering into force in September lays a legal foundation for advancing accessible infrastructure and enhancing inclusive public services. China also continues to establish and refine protection systems, vigorously developing inclusive education and introducing systematic measures to boost their employment, striving to foster a social environment underpinned by understanding, respect and care and support. China actively participates in and supports international efforts, standing as an active advocate, staunch supporter and dedicated practitioner of the Convention. Since the beginning of the year, Chinese government delegations have attended the 18th Conference of States Parties and the third Global Disability Summit, proactively engaging in international exchanges with all stakeholders on issues related to persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are equal members of the global human family, a vital force driving the progress of human civilization. China stands ready to work alongside all countries and organizations to actively implement the Convention, jointly advance and promote the joint cause.

Thank you, representative of China. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste.

Chair Excellencies, in 2023, Timor-Leste acceded to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a milestone reflecting our national commitment to advancing dignity, accessibility, and participation for all. We are empowering persons with disabilities to take active roles in decision-making processes at both national and community levels. The government also provides direct assistance to vulnerable groups, including women, children, victims of violence, orphans, and people living with chronic and psychosocial conditions. Conditional cash transfers for education continue to help children with disabilities attend and complete school, while quarterly social pensions benefit nearly 9,000 persons with disability across the country. Madam Chair, in this spirit, Timor-Leste calls upon the United Nations system and the international community To enhance capacity building and technical cooperation for disability inclusive policy and data system in LDCs. Promote South-South and triangular cooperation to share best practice and innovations on disability inclusion. Timor-Leste remains deeply committed to building a more inclusive, equitable and comprehensive world where no one is left behind. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste. Next speakers on the list will be Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Thailand, Hungary, Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Mauritania. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Madam Chair, the DPRK, ever since its foundation, has made every effort to create conditions and environment necessary for persons with disabilities to be treated with due respect for their dignity and personality, and it has steadily perfected the state legal system so that they can take an active part in the public and social activities with equal rights with others. As an example, the law on the protection of the disabled adopted in 2003 was revised to the law on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in 2023. and it clearly shows the will of the DPRK government to guarantee to the fullest extent possible the rights of persons with disabilities who are not merely recipients of care but equal right holders with others and full-fledged members of society. The DPRK, after acceding to the CRPD in 2016, has faithfully implemented its obligations to the Convention and in August this year it participated in the review of its initial report of implementation of CRPD and exchanged constructive views with the members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Madam Chair, the DPRK will continue to expand and develop policies and measures for the persons with disabilities and also make a positive contribution to the global efforts for the genuine promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt, followed by Thailand and Hungary.

Thank you, Madam Vice Chairperson. My delegation thanks the briefers for their input, and we would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, and we value the focus of the report on family-based care. We agree that the family unit plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being, emotional stability and development of children with disabilities, and we attach great importance to the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities. We are in that by the constitution of 2024, which guarantees the rights to education, healthcare, employment, and participation in public life, among other things. Egypt also prioritizes improving the lives of persons with disabilities through policies and initiatives aimed at empowering and integrating them into society. And in October 2025, actually, we launched the third phase of the national initiative, My Family is My Strength, which aims to empower families of persons with disabilities by providing support and training. Support and protection is also expanded to encompass the needs of families of children with disabilities to ensure access to social protection, including through financial support and economic assistance programs. In addition, we are also working on empowering the role of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities And in conclusion, I would like to emphasize the urgent need for stronger international cooperation, targeted technical assistance, sustained financial resources, and cooperation in knowledge sharing and transfer and in local.

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand.

Thank you, Madam Chair. A full version of this statement will be shared online. Thailand thanks the Special Rapporteur for shedding light on the challenges of caregivers of disabled children. We share that resources must be directed and systematic gaps must be addressed to relieve the unequal burden of care work, and for both caregivers and the children to enjoy human rights. Thailand continues to advance the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities in line with the CRPD and its Optional Protocol. We have strengthened community and family-based support systems through the National Action Plan on Alternative Care for Children, as well as the Person with Disabilities Empowerment Act and the Education for Persons with Disabilities Act, guaranteeing accessibility, inclusive education, and equal opportunities from early childhood onward. Building on these foundations, the Sixth National Plan for the Development of the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities and Thailand's national commitments under the SDGs continue to promote inclusive public services. Thailand also encourages the participation of persons with disabilities in policy making and continues to engage with their organisations, families and caregivers. Madam Special Rapporteur, to build further from what has already been done, from your experience, what practical measures could help States redirect more efforts towards community and family-based support for children with disabilities and their families? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Hungary.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We align ourselves with the statement made by the European Union. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Ms. Mi-Aeun Kim, Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and to Ms. Heba Haggas, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, for their valuable work and dedication. Hungary is resolutely committed to promoting the possibility of a fulfilling and dignified life for persons with disabilities. This commitment extends to children with disabilities and their families. Hungary is dedicated to easing the everyday challenges they face and to support the parents, guardians and caregivers in maintaining a safe family environment. In recent years, Hungary has significantly strengthened the support for persons with disabilities and their families. Hungary also provides designated grants to deliver to grants to relieve families of the continuous burden of care, providing them with the opportunity to rest and receive professional assistance at home. Hungary introduced several programs to assist persons with disabilities, with special attention to children. Families of children and adults with disabilities receive a wide range of social services, including mental health assistance, guidance for social integration and self-assertion skills. The government acknowledges the important role of civil society organizations and supports them with growing support through annual grant programmes. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Hungary and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, followed by Ireland and Mauritania.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. We thank the panellists for their briefing. We welcome the focus of the report of Madam Special Rapporteur. The issue of keeping persons with disabilities within the family is a priority for my country. Iran has taken extensive legislative, financial and supportive measures in this area. Iran is committed to promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in line with CRC, CRPD and domestic laws, including dedicated national law on the protection of rights of persons with disabilities. Some of the key national measures by Iran are as follows: provision of training courses for families on how to interact with persons with disabilities and promote tolerance, provision of financial assistance through payment of nursing or assistance fees to guardians or caregivers, provision of 50% income tax exemption for one parent or person with severe disabilities, and reduced working hours for male caregivers and part-time work options for female caregivers. Our first priority above all must be to prevent disability and to protect families. The international community must also confront situations where disability is being inflicted on a massive scale. In this regard, we must draw attention to the grave situation in Gaza, where many were killed and are. and have been maimed. The primary task is to stop this crime, protect civilians, and prevent further killing and disability in Gaza. A question to Madam Rapporteur, what recommendation do you have aiming to prevent further killing and maiming of innocent peoples as a result of these heinous and human crimes such as in Gaza? Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ireland.

Thank you, Chair. Ireland aligns itself with the statement of the EU and thanks the Chair of the CRPD and the Special Rapporteur for their combined briefing today. Promoting human rights is a core priority of Ireland's domestic and foreign policy, and reaching those furthest behind, including persons with disabilities, is a guiding principle of Ireland's international development and humanitarian action. Last month, Ireland launched our new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled Persons 2025 to 2030 to advance the realization of the CRPD. Our strategy incorporates an intersectional approach, acknowledging the interconnected nature of social categories that can lead to discrimination and disadvantage. The strategy is also the result of extensive public consultation with diverse groups, including organizations of persons with disabilities and respective networks, migrants, women and children. Earlier this year, Ireland endorsed the Amman-Berlin Declaration on global disability inclusion, which provides us with a framework for collective action on disability-inclusive international development cooperation and humanitarian action. Special Rapporteur, your report talks about the gender dimension of care for children with disabilities and the significant strain female caregivers can come under in navigating their responsibilities. your research for the report, what did you find was the biggest pressure faced by women that could be addressed by policymakers? Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mauritania.

Thank you, Chair. From the Special Rapporteur, Mauritania takes note of your general evaluation of the situation faced by persons with disabilities and your recommendations for implementation of policies that effectively protect the rights of children with disabilities as well as supporting a family life, including the provision of adequate support for their families. You underscored that public services are essential to guarantee that the specific needs of children with disabilities are met. I'd recall that the Mauritanian government decided to act on this. A decree adopted on 10 September 2025 stipulates for the reorganisation of the National Multisectoral Council for Inclusion and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The objective is clear, strengthen coordination, expanding representation of stakeholders and ensuring that public policies are really effective on the ground. Mauritania also guarantees any person with a disability the right to have a card and this card facilitates identification of people with disabilities provide them access to basic services. Special rapporteur, for the majority of cases, families with children with disabilities move closer to big cities to have access to basic services. What policies can you envisage for children in rural, remote areas where travel, care and public services are very difficult to access? Thank you.

English representative of Mauritania. Next speaker on the list will be United Arab Emirates, Canada, Colombia, Armenia, Morocco. United Arab Emirates, you have the floor.

Madam Chair, thank you for facilitating this interactive dialogue. The United Arab Emirates reaffirms its strong commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, or how we refer to them in the UAE, people of determination. guided by our national vision and principles of inclusion, empowerment, and equal opportunity. In the UAE, we view accessibility and inclusion not only as a special measure, but as an essential component of a cohesive society. Through strategies such as the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination, we continue to enhance access to education, employment, healthcare, and digital services, ensuring that every individual can participate fully and independently in all aspects of life. The efforts of the Committee and the Special Rapporteur provide important guidance for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and translating international commitments to tangible progress. In this regard, I would like to ask the following question: How can States further strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation between government entities, the private sector and civil society to create truly inclusive environments that empower people of determination to reach their full potential? To conclude, the UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to building an inclusive and accessible society that upholds dignity and the potential for all people of determination. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of United Arab Emirates and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Canada, followed by Colombia and Armenia.

Thank you, Madam

Thank you, Chair. Canada welcomes the thematic report of the Special Rapporteur, as well as the Committee's report. Canada shares the priority that's been attached to prevention of institutionalisation by its community support and in significant participation of people with personal disabilities, as well as taking gender dimension into account in care work. Public policies should follow up on states' obligations to guarantee that children with disabilities can fully enjoy their rights. Persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, have the right to live in the community with equal choices and with access to inclusive and accessible support at home and in their local area. Canada encourages national plans for deinstitutionalization, accompanied with clear timeframes, measurable indicators and allocated budgets. Canada would like to ask the following question to the Special Rapporteur: What policies have shown themselves to be effective in promoting gender equality in the sharing of care work and also to strengthen families' capacity to care for children with disabilities in inclusive family environments. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Canada and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Colombia is grateful for the presentation of the report and recognizes the work of the Special Rapporteur, whose recent work and official visit to our country have contributed to strengthening constructive dialogue with the United Nations system on disability. Colombia reiterates its commitment to full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the CRPD, under the principle of "nothing about us without us". We have a robust framework that recognises full legal capacity and promotes the autonomy and participation of persons with disabilities. The creation of the Ministry of Equality and Equity, the updating of our national public policy on disability and social inclusion, and the adoption of our national care policy are a few examples of meaningful progress towards building a community support system that is centred on dignity and inclusion, with a gender and territory-based approach. But challenges still remain in ensuring physical and digital accessibility, and also in terms of attitudinal challenges. Colombia, in this regard, reaffirms its desire to continue promoting a sustainable, inclusive, participative and diverse society free from discrimination where persons with disabilities are at the forefront of sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Colombia and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Armenia, followed by Morocco and Costa Rica.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We thank the panellists for their presentations. Armenia reaffirms its steadfast commitment to building an inclusive society grounded on respect for human dignity, equality and autonomy of all persons with disabilities. We attach special importance to the CRPD and its Optional Protocol and have undertaken profound reforms to bring national practice into full conformity with their provisions. The law on the rights of persons with disability prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, ensures reasonable accommodation and empowers non-governmental organizations to act on behalf of those whose rights have been violated. Our reforms are reinforced by the program on the social inclusion which prioritizes accessibility, elimination of discrimination, inclusive education, participation in cultural and public life, employment and the protection during emergencies and armed conflicts. A cross-sectoral legal review covering 30 areas of public life is guiding further reforms to address remaining gaps and ensure full consistency with the CRPD. Despite significant progress, we are in view that full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities require ongoing advocacy, capacity building of organizations of persons with disabilities, and a consistent implementation of comprehensive policy reforms. We stand ready to cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure that our reforms remain inclusive, comprehensive, and responsive to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Armenia, and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.

Madame la Presidente,

Chair, Morocco would like to thank distinguished mandate holders for their presentations, which focus on the difficulties faced by children with disabilities, particularly in terms of having access to services adapted to their needs. I would like to share the following. education is a fundamental tool for inclusion and therefore Morocco has included this in its roadmap for 2020-2026 of the National Ministry of Education and we have flagship programs to expand the networks for this. We've also developed other digital tools, particularly the Rafik Plus platform to support families with autistic children. We also, there is a circular on inclusive education to strengthen coordination mechanisms between ministry or departments. And to improve health and social inclusion policies, several initiatives are also being developed. The health and disability plan seeks to provide greater care for citizens with specific needs. The expansion of our registry for this to improve how we identify those who can benefit from social aid programs. We also work to support persons with disabilities to ensure that they can participate in public life. Thank you very much.

Distinguished representative of Morocco. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Costa Rica.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Costa Rica thanks the Special Rapporteur for presenting her report and we reiterate our support for her mandate. My country wishes to highlight the point raised about a lack of autonomy that is still faced by many persons with disabilities when they are treated as passive recipients of care rather than full rights holders. This is a situation that also particularly impacts women caregivers who take on the majority of support responsibilities and then find their economic and social independence limited as a result. The report indicates that more than 65% of these women either leave or reduce employment in order to provide care. Costa Rica encourages strengthened anti-discrimination legislation, the adoption of reasonable accommodations of universal design and the strengthening of empowerment mechanisms that guarantee autonomy and legal capacity for persons with disabilities. In this regard, my country is proud to have been the first country in Latin America to have passed a specific law to promote the autonomy and legal capacity of persons with disabilities. Lastly, we reiterate our support for the Committee and we underscore the importance of harmonising working methods in order to ensure uniformity and coherence in constructive dialogues on implementation of the Convention. in line with approaches taken by other human rights treaty bodies. I thank you.

...the representative of Costa Rica, who was our last speaker. I will now invite the presenters of the combined briefing to respond to the comments and questions from the floor. I first give the floor to the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Miyoung Kim. Ms. Kim, you have the floor. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair. The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities deeply appreciate the constructive and thoughtful intervention made by the State party, both in sharing good practice and in raising important questions about the Committee's work. Such exchanges are invaluable for strengthening transparency, clarifying our mandate, and reinforcing cooperation with all States Parties. Today, I also witnessed the strong commitment of all States Parties to advancing the implementation of the CRPD. The Committee sincerely thanks all delegations for their continued efforts and dedication to promoting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Protecting children with disabilities from all forms of violence requires a comprehensive and intersectional approach. Many children with disabilities, particularly those with multiple disabilities and those who belong to the marginalized groups such as indigenous, refugee and migrant children, face a compounded form of discrimination. This intersection heightens their exposure to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Children with disabilities must be recognized as right holders with their own will and preferences. This is making structure should respect their evolving capacities and enable them to participate in meaningful in matter that affect their lives. It is equally essential to ensure that children with disabilities live safely within their families and communities rather than being placed in institution that isolate and expose them to further harm. Every children's legal less of background has the right to grow grow up in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where their dignity is upheld and their voice are heard. Across the world, women continue to bear the primary responsibility for caring for family members with disabilities. The rights, health and well-being of women caregivers must therefore be protected, including their right to rest, to work and to lead a fulfilling personal and social lives. The issue of care is deeply connected to women's human rights, revealing how gender and disability intersect. The CRPD, while building upon earlier human rights treaty, completed and enriched them through a disability perspective, bring an intersectional dimension that unites and strengthening all human rights. The Committee remain deeply concerned about the situation of persons with disability in region affected by armed conflict and war. Reportable abduction, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions are alarming. In particular, women and girls with disabilities are disproportionately targeted and face a heightened risk of violence and exploitation, while humanitarian responses often fail to account for their specific needs. War and conflict in 82-3 increased the number of the person with disability, not only through injury, but also through the trauma, psychological distress and the collapse of essential services such as healthcare and rehabilitation. True peace is not achieved by ending hostility alone, but by rebuilding inclusive systems that uphold the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Protection from violence or access to humanitarian aid and participation in reconstruction must be guided by a disability-inclusive approach. This year marked the 19th anniversary of the CRPD. Yet, as noted by Russian Federation, the backlog in the consideration of reports has become severe. When the Committee was first established, the General Assembly decided, due to the budgetary constraint, that it would hold only two sessions per year. As a result, unlike other treaty bodies that meet three times a year, The CRPD Committee has faced this structural backlog since its inception, and with the ongoing refugee crisis within the United Nations, the situation has worsened. worsens. Each of our two sessions has been reduced to only 12 working days, limiting the Committee's capacity to fulfill its mandate. We therefore call upon the General Assembly to ensure adequate and predictable funding and to consider expanding the number of sessions to three for each year, as resources allow. At the national and local level, the implementation of CRPD can only be realized when persons with disabilities are supported by strong community-based services and empowered local governments, where a person's lives must never determine their access to rights or opportunities. Local authorities play a vital role in realizing the Convention on the ground ensuring that services are accessible, inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. Strengthening community-based support system is therefore not only a social policy priority but a fundamental condition for the full implementation of the CRPD. Excellencies, distinguished delegates and colleagues, in this short time, has not been possible to respond to every question and comment raised today. I sincerely regret the limitation as every intervention has been valuable and thought-provoking. Looking ahead to the 19th Conference of the State Party next year, the Committee hope to create more opportunity for open and substantive dialogue, including roundtable discussions that bring together governments. UNHCR and organizations of persons with disabilities. I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all delegations for your participation, insightful presentation and constructive engagement. Your commitment to strengthen our shared vision of equality, inclusion and dignity for all persons with disabilities. Thank you so much.

I thank the Chair of the CRPD Committee I next give the floor to the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Ms. Hebe Hagras. Ms. Hagras, you have the floor. Thank you.

Thank you so much. First of all, I would like to thank all States that have attended and the ones that have supported the reports and also put their recommendations forward. I will briefly pass through the comments, but I will not mention anyone in specific because of time limits. First of all, for me, I would like again to emphasize what do we mean by care and support from our perspective in disability. For us, care and support is a combined term and they are the two together as one piece because people with disabilities, they need care. and they are supported by care, and after a while they need their freedom to grow up and be able to decide for themselves, take their autonomy in their hands and make their decisions by themselves. And the independent living concept is a core article in our convention, so we cannot just depend on people giving care to persons with disabilities and exchange it for another form of control, but we have to insist that it is care and support, because whenever persons with disabilities have the opportunity to grow and to be able to take decisions in their hand, they should be allowed to have that and live independently and make their lifelong choices. This is a very important point for us in this matter, and this is why we are always talking about care and support, care and support. The second point that I would like to talk about, many of you mentioned what are the policies that we should follow and countries and states should follow. First of all, we should follow the idea of community-based services. If the services are close to home, mothers and children and all the people who care for children with disabilities are able to go to the closest point where they can get services for their children and are not pushed into leaving their children in institutions. The point of institutions is that people are forced to send their children to institutions, and that is one of the major points that the Convention is fighting no institutionalization. We are aiming for no institutionalization, which means services should be very close to home, should be easily reached by families, by children, by whoever needs it, even an old age person with a disability can manage on their own. So this is very important. And believe it or not, if we channel the money of institutionalization into supporting services in the community, this will really yield very well and we provide a lot of services for persons with disabilities in their places and wherever they are. Definitely, we need also that parental leave be something that is taken in many countries because we not only need women to do the maternity leave and then be obliged to leave their work and then get into poverty because they cannot support the paid work and they don't have flexible time to go to their work or not. So they are forced to leave their work and then They have to be out of work, have less money, and with the extra cost that disability is imposing on them and on their families, they are really in a dreadful situation and sometimes burnt out and unable to support the whole family. So we need caregiving to be a paid job. We need it to be paid for whoever will provide it, be it a father, be it a mother, be it somebody that will be hired. This depends on the family. And also we need that families do not bear the burden of the extra cost of disability on their own shoulders. This is a lot of cost. This disability costs a big deal of the money. in the family, so the government should have policies to support persons with disability and the extra cost of disability for children who are needing it. The models, from my own point of view, we have different models in different areas. They are not very well developed with the concept of care and support. They are more geared to the idea of care and care and care. But when are we going to lift our hands and make the person with disability be able to decide for themselves and really carry their own burden and live their own life the way they want. So this needs to be well investigated. There is not an ideal model that I can tell you about in a specific region, but there are part, some trials, good trials that are if really well developed with the ideas that we are giving, we are now developing the concepts of care and support and not only care, which is why we think that we can, all of us, integrate and whoever has a good piece and a strong piece, we put that together and really develop policies that are really taking care of the whole concept and not just bits and pieces and leaving the rest for people to fall behind. Thank you very much.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities. Once again, I thank both speakers for joining the combined briefing, which served to increase the depth of our discussion, demonstrate the linkage between the respective mandates, and further enhance the quality of the work of the Committee. Thank you very much for your work. I now welcome the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Mr. Nicolas Levrard. Participants wishing to make comments and pose questions to the speaker are invited to press their microphone button within the next three minutes. after which the list will be closed. The time limit for each speaker will be announced before the floor is given to the first speaker. Thank you for your cooperation. I now invite the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues to make an introductory statement. Mr. Lebra, you have the floor. Thank you.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and esteemed participants. It is my privilege to present you my thematic report entitled "Minority Issues in the Context of the UN Reform Process." Let me be clear that the reform process I am referring to is not only the UN at 80 exercise, but a much more fundamental reset of the multilateral system prompted by a series of seismic evolution on the world stage in the past few years. In that context, 2025 is one of special significance for the protection of human rights in the United Nations, as attacks on the human rights system have never been so violent. A revealing and shocking example is the USA deliberately and openly violating its international obligations. In that respect, I unconditionally denounce the US government's sanction on the Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory. I express my full solidarity with Francesca Albanese. Sanctioning a Special Rapporteur appointed by the Human Rights Council violates international law and is a direct attack on the integrity of the UN human rights system, including UN special procedures as a whole. I call on all States to act decisively to denounce these sanctions and refuse to carry them out. I also call on the United States of America to immediately withdraw these illegal measures. These attacks by the US, as well as blatant disregard for the most basic human rights by several other governments, call for a major upheaval of the very foundation of the multilateral system, including its backbone, that is the United Nations. Such processes may be an opportunity for minority issues to be given a better consideration in the future reconfigured multilateral system. I am encouraged in this prospect by the constructive relationship my mandate has been building with key actors dealing with minority issues as diverse as Chile, China, the EU and its member states, and particularly Austria and Hungary, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan and Somalia. I hope these existing constructive dialogues will lead to concrete results for the benefit of persons belonging to minorities in the near future. Because the truth is that minority issues have never really found a place in the United Nations system. When adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the General Assembly acknowledged that, I quote, "The United Nations cannot remain indifferent to the fate of minorities, but considering the universal character of the Declaration of Human Rights, it decided not to deal in a specific provision with the question of minorities in the text of the declaration." Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and esteemed participants, minorities are misfits in the United Nations system for the protection of human rights. Interestingly, the original regime of minority protection prior to international human rights law under the League of Nations had more to do with peace and security issues than with human rights. One of the needed change of perspective regarding minority issues in the new multilateral system is that they should not remain confined to the margin of the human rights pillar, but should also be addressed as peace and security issue. In 2022, commemorating the 30 years of having adopted the Declaration on the Right of Persons Belonging to Minorities, the Secretary-General addressing the General Assembly concluded that the declaration, I quote, "enshrined three core truths. First, that minority rights are human rights. Second, that the protection of minorities is integral to the mission of the United Nations. Third, that the promotion of those rights is vital to advancing political and social stability and preventing conflict within and between countries. In that perspective, the research conducted to draft the present report showed that since 1948, 78 Security Council resolutions have addressed minority issues two of them adopted last year. Coming back to the 2022 speech, the Secretary General, Gutierrez, also spoke harsh word on the effective implementation of this 92 declaration. He said, I quote, the hard truth is that 30 years on, the world is failing short, far short. We're not dealing with gaps, we are dealing with outright inaction and negligence in the protection of minority rights. The extensive research I led with the help of young dedicated university students, show that the situation is not as bleak as it appears. My report shows that there are quite many United Nations entities, funds, programs, specialist agencies, and related organizations that positively impact the lives of persons belonging to minorities through their activities. The problem is that these actions are not visible because they are often not labeled as explicitly dealing with minorities. In many instances, actions are conflated with issues that concern other marginalized groups, such as indigenous people, people experiencing racism, or vulnerable groups. So the problem is invisibility of the action, not a lack of action. And this is rather good news, because this existing action can be made visible without a major budgetary increase. but it will need some political will. This is why, in the conclusion of this opening remark, I call on Member States. First, I call on Member States to continue supporting existing minority-focused UN activities, such as the UN Forum on Minority Issues, the Minority Fellowship Programme, the Faith for Rights framework, as well as the UN Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. Second, In order to better integrate concern and the rights of persons belonging to minorities into a renewed UN architecture, I ask member states through the General Assembly's Sixth Committee to request the International Law Commission in the context of the progressive development of international law and in accordance with Article 16 of its statute to include in its program of work the issue of the protection of minorities and persons belonging to minorities. And third, and last but not least, I ask States to acknowledge the regrettable invisibility of minority issues as illustrated by the absence of even a single mention of minorities in the Sustainable Development Goals or in the recent Pact for the Future. In order to close this gap and to raise the importance of minority issues within the UN, making certain that minorities are adequately reflected and engaged with in the post-2030 agenda, I call for the UN to organize a world summit on minority issues in the perspective of the post-2030 agenda. Let me remind you that minority issues are closely linked to a renewed multilateral system able to guarantee peace and stability, justice and well-being for all without anyone being left behind because they belong to a minority. Minority issues are core to effective multilateralism. Historical and recent events have shown the dramatic consequences when such issues are left to be dealt with bilaterally by neighboring states. Thank you.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. I will now open the floor for any questions or comments to Mr. Levrard. As per past practice, I would ask the delegation to limit their comments to three minutes. Thank you for your kind cooperation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria, to be followed by the representative of Greece and Slovenia. Austria, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Austria aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. Mr. Special Rapporteur, thank you for your comprehensive presentation and your dedication to the promotion of the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Austria remains a strong supporter of your mandate and of the landmark UN Declaration on persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. It is a particular honor for Austria to serve as a champion for the cause of the rights of persons belonging to minorities as the pen holder of the biennial resolutions on this topic in the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, respectively. In line with the UN80, this year's draft General Assembly resolution sets an important step towards simplifying the reporting requirements for OHCHR with the aim of saving valuable resources and increasing efficiency by reducing the OHCHR's overall reporting mandates on minorities from three every two years to one per year. We have also taken on several recommendations from the last session of the Forum on Minority Issues of 2024, which you also mentioned in your presentation. We count on broad Member State support to the resolution through co-sponsorship and adoption by consensus. Mr. Special Rapporteur, we welcome your very timely report on minority issues in the context of the UN reform process. In view of the dire budgetary situation, How can the focus on protecting and promoting the rights of persons belonging to minorities be strengthened and reinvigorated within the UN system and without requiring additional resources? And how can Member States contribute to this end? As we are nearing 2030, how can we ensure the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities will be mainstreamed throughout a new post-2030 vision for sustainable development? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Austria and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Greece.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Greece aligns with the statement to be delivered by the European Union and wishes to add the following points in its national capacity. Mr. Special Rapporteur, we thank you for your comprehensive report, which rightly recalls the urgent need for states to honor their commitments under the 1992 UN declaration. For Greece, these reflect important international obligations and their application is under constant evaluation. In this spirit, we fully implement the Lausanne Peace Treaty of 1923, which guarantees the rights of both the Muslim minority in Thrace and the Greek Orthodox minority in Turkey. The contrast is striking. The Muslim minority in Thrace has grown from about 80,000 at the time of the Lausanne Treaty to around 120,000 today, while in Istanbul, Gocceada, Imbros, and Postada, Tenedos, the Greek Orthodox minority has dramatically declined from more than 120,000 to fewer than 3,000. Mr. Special Rapporteur, we strongly share your view that minority rights are not only a human rights issue, but also vital for peace, security, and development. Practices such as acts of violence, persecutions, oppressions, mass expulsions, confiscations of properties, burdensome taxation on assets, restriction of civil rights for the minority's members, or procedural barriers under false pretenses run profoundly counter to a state policy which favors full protection of human rights and the safeguarding of peace and security in our region and beyond. Finally, Mr. Special Rapporteur, you observed that the real problem is visibility of action rather than lack of action. How can states ensure such visibility at a time when the rule of law and the very foundations of international human rights system are under strain? Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Greece. I now leave the floor to the distinguished representative of Slovenia, followed by Pakistan and Albania.

Madam Special Rapporteur, Slovenia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union and thanks the Special Rapporteur for his comprehensive report and tireless engagement in advancing the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Mr. Special Rapporteur, we share the concern about the persistence of discrimination, hate speech and violence against minority communities, including online and the compounding forms of inequality faced by minority women and youth. Slovenia supports the call for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and the meaningful participation of minorities in public life. At the national level, Slovenia continues to uphold robust legal and institutional frameworks protecting the rights of its national minorities and promoting the inclusion of the Roma community. We also remain committed to fostering intercultural dialogue, human rights education, and the preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity. At the international level, Slovenia will continue to support the effective implementation of the 1992 declarations and to cooperate closely with the UN mechanisms and civil society in promoting equality and inclusion. In conclusion, we consider the protection of minority rights as indispensable for peace, social cohesion and sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Slovenia and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.

We thank the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Nicolas, for his comprehensive report and his continued engagement on the protection and promotion of rights of minorities in my country. We share his views that the respect for diversity and protection of minorities are indispensable for achieving peace, justice, and inclusive development. Therefore, the United Nations should play its pivotal role in strengthening protection of rights of minorities in accordance with the provisions of human rights law. Madam Chair, Pakistan's commitment to the protection of minority rights is anchored in its constitution and the vision of its founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who upheld equality and freedom for religion for all citizens. Despite challenges, Pakistan has advanced inclusion and dignity through strengthening institutional frameworks, including National Commission for Minorities and Human Rights. Minorities participate in governance through reserve seats in Parliament and local bodies. Welfare funds scholarships, and restoration of worship sites support their empowerment, and while judicial and administrative mechanisms provide redress against any kind of discrimination. At the international level, we are gravely concerned over the rising tide of Islamophobia, intolerance, and right-wing extremism targeting minorities, particularly Muslims, worldwide. The weaponization of religion For political ends, the vilification of entire communities and the systematic marginalization of Muslims in some regions are deeply alarming. In our neighborhood, we have witnessed the tragic consequences of extremist ideologies that seek to erase cultural and religious diversity. Discriminatory citizenship laws, attacks on places of worship, disinformation campaigns, calls for genocide, and hateful political rhetoric against minorities have been embraced as the official state policy in India. Such practices not only violate human rights, but also endanger inclusive development and international peace. The international community must act with solidarity and moral clarity to counter these dangerous trends, hold perpetrators accountable, and reaffirm that respect for diversity is a universal obligation and not a selective choice. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. Next speaker will be Albania, India, European Union, Liechtenstein, Israel and China. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Albania.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Albania welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues and commands his continued efforts. to advance the protection and promotion of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. We value the report's focus on mainstreaming minority issues across the United Nations system and its call for greater visibility, inclusiveness and accountability in this important area. Albania wishes to draw the attention of this Assembly to the situation of the Albanian minority residing in the Presevo Valley in southern Serbia. For several years, members of this community have expressed deep concern regarding the pacification of their residential addresses. This is an administrative practice that deprives many individuals of their official resident status. It limits their access to essential public services, including education, health care, social benefits, as well as their right to participate in elections. Such measures have far-reaching implications for the respect of basic human rights and risk contributing to the depopulation and marginalization of the Albanian community in the region. In this context, we'd like to recall the seven-point plan signed by the government of Serbia in June 2013, which aimed to improve the situation in several areas, including the representation of the Albanian community in state institutions, the official use of the Albanian language, the decentralization of the judicial system, and the financial support for education and culture. Albania calls on the authorities of Serbia to address this issue in a transparent, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner, ensuring full respect for the right of persons belonging to national minorities in line with international human rights standards. We reaffirm Albania's firm belief that the protection and promotion of minority rights remain essential to stability, democracy and good neighborly relations in our region. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Albania. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of India, followed by European Union and Liechtenstein.

Madam Chair. In the interest of time, India's full statement will be uploaded on our website. India has constitutional and legal provisions in place and strong institutional mechanisms to ensure rights of minorities. India is deeply committed to upholding the dignity, rights and development of its minorities, consistent with its constitutional values and international framework. The Indian Constitution provides safeguards through fundamental rights, Article 14 to 16 guaranteeing equality and non-discrimination, and Articles 25 to 28 ensuring freedom of religion. Article 29 protects minority rights to conserve their distinct language, script, and culture, while Article 30 grants them the exclusive right to establish and administer educational institutions. As far as remarks of the delegate of Pakistan are concerned, blatant lies do not merit a response, but for the record, demand a strong rebuttal. Allow me to highlight the UN human rights expert in July 2025. called on the government of Pakistan to take concrete measures to prevent extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and attacks against places of worship and cemeteries amid ongoing violence and discrimination against religious minorities, including the Ahmadi community. The OHCHR experts state on Pakistan. "We are shocked at reports of increasing violence against vulnerable communities on grounds of their religion and belief. These communities have witnessed relentless attacks, killings, and unending harassment for months in the context of hostility and advocacy of hatred against them. These attacks takes place with tactic official complicity while the cycle of fear prevents people and institutions from upholding the rights and dignity of these minorities." Mob and vigilante attacks are rampant for alleged blasphemy, targeted faith-based killing, kidnapping, forced conversion, and forced marriage of women and girls from minority community, most of the time with the tacit support of the state. This is the record of Pakistan on treatment of minorities in their country. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the Special Representative of India and now give the floor to the Special Representative of the European Union.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have the honour indeed to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. Mr. Special Rapporteur, we thank you for your report and your dedication to promoting and protecting the rights of persons belonging to minorities. We believe that the protection of the human rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities is vital to strengthening social cohesion and democratic values. fostering solidarity, preventing conflict, and building sustainable peace. Across the world, persons belonging to minorities still face discrimination, however, often on multiple intersecting grounds, as well as violence. They are frequently subjected to hate speech and hate crimes, and remain excluded from full participation in society. We have registered with interest your assessment that the efforts of many UN entities to address minority issues often lack visibility, for example, rarely mentioning the declaration on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. Still, recognition is a positive note in an otherwise challenging environment. as it reflects a degree of awareness and engagement within the UN system that can serve as a foundation for stronger, more coordinated action. In this regard, how would you see the existing mechanisms, such as the Forum on Minority Issues, being better utilised to maximise their impact? Could you share examples of practical steps that would encourage more systematic engagement across the UN system within existing resources? Mr. Special Rapporteur, we also welcome your focus on the intersection between minority rights and conflict prevention. I should be grateful if you would elaborate on how the UN system can more effectively draw on existing tools in the human rights and peace and security pillars to ensure that minority protection continues to contribute to stability and the prevention of violence. Thank you, Mr. Special Rapporteur, and thanks also to the signers and interpreters.

I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Liechtenstein, followed by Israel and China.

Thank you for your report, which is of course timely. We agree that the UN's work on minority issues could certainly benefit from being better acknowledged, both in the UN system and by member states as part of our negotiations in the UN80 reform process. In the recommendations attached to your report, you call on member states to recognize the centrality of minority issues not only to the human rights pillar, but also to the development and peace and security pillars, and to acknowledge the interconnected nature. In this regard, how do you intend for States to mainstream minority issues in the area of peace and security, in particular in terms of mediation and conflict prevention and resolution processes? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Liechtenstein and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Israel.

Thank you, Chair. Israel takes note of the presented report and reaffirms its strong commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of all persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities. Israel welcomes the focus on ensuring that minority inclusion remains central to the ongoing United Nations reform process. As a diverse democracy, Israel's vibrant society includes Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouin, Ba'athis, and many others who enjoy full political participation, freedom of religion, and equal protection under law. The Knesset, independent judiciary, and civil society institutions all play active role in ensuring inclusion and equality. The inclusivity is reflected across Israeli society, both in representation and in policy. Israel actively invests billions of shekels in multi-year development plans for its Arab, Christian, Druze, Bedouin, and Circassian citizens, including the 2021-2026 Government Resolution 550, which allocates over 30 billion new Israeli shekels to strengthen infrastructure, education, and employment opportunities. These efforts reflect Israel's enduring commitment to building an inclusive and just society for all its communities. Israel notes with concern the politicized reference in the report alleging aggression committed by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The inclusion of such language, unrelated to minority rights, detracts from the constructive purpose of the mandate. and from genuine efforts to improve the protection of minorities worldwide. Israel reiterates its support for meaningful dialogue and cooperation on minority issues. In light of Israel's ongoing investment in empowering its diverse communities, could the Special Rapporteur elaborate on how his mandate plans to highlight and share national best practices in inclusive development for minorities? Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Israel and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of China, followed by Hungary.

Madam Chair, China welcomes the Special Rapporteur's attention to the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities and suggestions on how to promote minority rights.

Minorities are equal members of the big family of human society. It is our shared responsibility to realize human rights and development for all and not leave minorities behind. China is a unified multi-ethnic state where 56 ethnic groups remain closely united and together seek common harmonious development for the building of a community with a shared future of the Chinese nation. China attaches great importance to the protection of the rights of ethnic minorities so that all ethnic groups can enjoy equal opportunities and fully participate in economic, political, cultural, and social life on an equal footing.

The sense of gain, happiness, and security of people of all ethnic groups.

To increase, and they are united as tightly as parabolic grenade seats.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of China and now give the floor to our last speaker, distinguished representative of Hungary.

Madam Chair, we align ourselves with the statement made by the European Union. We welcome the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Mr. Nicolas Loeb, to the Third Committee and express our appreciation for his comprehensive and wide-ranging activities, as well as his report on minority issues in the context of the United Nations reform process. The 20th century has taught us to pay better attention to the importance of minority affairs and that the recognition of their identity and the full enjoyment of their human rights without discrimination contributes to peace and prosperity all over the world. It is the more regrettable that minority issues have never really found their place in the United Nations system. We agree with the Special Rapporteur that we have to take it seriously and make concrete steps to change the fact that persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities are the last major group at the UN with no specific mechanism or initiative to strengthen the protection of their human rights. It is high time that the Member States step up to protect minorities and make the commitments taken in the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities a reality for minorities everywhere. The reform of the multilateral system presents an opportunity to rethink and revitalize the proper approach to minority issues within the framework of a transforming UN. This opportunity must also be seized to condemn and identify effective actions against the persecution and discrimination faced by religious minorities. Mr. Special Rapporteur, as it was also highlighted, if we fail to recognize the existence and identity of minorities in an international protection regime, it does negatively affect minorities within their respective territories. Therefore, Hungary fully supports the notion of the adoption of a framework treaty for the protection of minorities to help us mainstream and integrate the rights of minorities at the platform of the United Nations. The International Law Commission could indeed serve as an engine and provide a draft multilateral treaty for us to consider further. Member States also have to live up to the commitment that they made in 1992 to recognize the existence and identity of minorities by acknowledging the existence and the specific needs of minorities. Hungary joins the call of the Special Rapporteur on Member States to recognize the centrality of minority issues, not only to the human rights pillar, but also to the development and peace and security pillars to acknowledge their interconnected nature. Due to the turmoils of history, Hungary has a strong interest in following closely the situation of Hungarian minority communities in its neighboring countries. As the war in Ukraine and its consequences are seriously affecting the national minority living in Transcarpathia, Hungary continues to express its serious concerns about the ongoing erosion and violation of their political and cultural rights. The Special Rapporteur provided a well-grounded food for thought for all of us to consider. We are eager to continue our work and communication with him. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Hungary and now give back the floor to the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Mr. Nicolas Levrard.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And first, let me thank all the States who took the floor and expressed support for the general vision that I propose in this report. I hear the support for a number of states and also coming from different geographical and geopolitical region to find ways to improve the manner in which the United Nations deals with minority issue. I inform state representatives that next year report to the Human Rights Committee, Geneva, not here, will be trying to figure out what are minority issues, because the mandate is not only on minority rights, but is on minority issue. And I think it is important to identify these type of issues, which are different in different part of the world, in different socioeconomic situation, in different geopolitical relationship. So hoping that more states will feel concern by the way minorities and minority issues are dealt with in their country and in the United Nations. Second point, I think we've heard several intervening states making specific remarks about the situation of human groups which are minority in neighboring countries and how this is a preoccupation. And yes, it is a preoccupation, both as regards the violation of human rights and as regards the potential for tension in international relation between neighboring states. This is why, and I heard several of the intervening states express their appreciation of the concept that it is not only through the lens of human rights, but also as a matter of good neighborhood relation and peace and security within national society and between national societies. So, naturally, if I had a very good idea and a very good solution on how to improve things, I wouldn't hide it from you, it would have been in my report, it's not yet there. But I appreciate the willingness to enter into the matter and to work together, hopefully, to increase awareness and improve existing mechanisms. As was said, the minorities themselves as a specific category or a specific large group do not have any specific UN mechanism dedicated to their protection. I am not sure we need to reinvent something because, as my report has shown, there are many things being done. It's just that they have to be put together in a proper way, in a proper order. I'm very conscious of the difficulties financial difficulties of the multilateral system, and I'm not necessarily asking for solution which will be costly, but we have to find way to better use existing mechanism. I heard a question from the representative of the EU about how to improve the functioning and the output of the minority forum. I was very pleased to hear from Austria that several of the recommendations that came out of the forum made it through the resolution that will be tabled and, I hope, adopted on the mandate. This is one specificity of the mandate, but it is true that the forum is more an agora, a place where representatives of different discriminated groups come to present the case and the complaints than a place for constructive discussion. I'm trying to find ways to make it more constructive, but I must say that the demands from civil society organization and states are hard to make work together, especially in a two-day event. But be assured that I'm working to make it more efficient more constructive, even though it is also needed to have a space for civil society to express its grief. I was asked how it is possible to increase visibility of minorities within UN activities. Well, one of the difficulty with this invisibilization of action in favor of minority groups is linked to the fact that very often the initial assessment of the situation identifies these groups that are being discriminated, but in many cases, for political reasons, very often domestic political reasons, there's a reluctance of states to enter into this minority language. Again, I am trained as an academic, a researcher, so I'm trying to understand where this reluctance comes from and how we can circumvent it, both in the action of the different UN program and organization at national level and within the multilateral system. Certainly, a way to increase visibility is to increase diversity in representation from member states, Most states are diverse. It was said by several of those who intervened, are diverse in language, in confessions, in cultural practices, and naturally, I think it's also maybe not here in the third committee, but in many UN activities, a possibility to portray this national diversity through representation through the UN. And last point, Actually, there are many others, but I hope we can cooperate in the coming years. How to strengthen minority protection to guarantee sustainable peace? Actually, I think this term of sustainable peace is very relevant, very important. Peace is not only the absence of conflict or war. This is a situation in which different components of society can work together to develop and to enhance the well-being of all members of society, including persons belonging to minorities. So, again, solutions are not yet fully baked. We need to work on it. I am launching a series of consultations, and I really count on the input from different states, be it through their national representation in multilateral fora, be it through supporting academic program of research on minority issues. And actually, the last proposal that I make in my report is to reflect and try to find whether it is possible to develop an index which would allow to appreciate how the situation of minority in each context is either improving or degrading. Again, as an academic, I have been very critical to many composite index which do not reflect reality, but on the other hand, it gives us a tool to assess the dynamic of the situation. So, yes, it is work in progress. Thank you once again very much for the support I heard from all the intervening states. And I will take the silence of the others as, as we say in French, "qui ne dit mot consent", acceptance that work needs to be undertook and to be progressively included in the different pillars of the UN system. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you very much, Mr. Special Rapporteur on minority issues, for this fruitful discussion. Thank you. The Committee will continue its consideration on agenda item 71, Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, and its sub-items A to D, tomorrow, 24 October, at 10 a.m., to hear statements by the special procedure mandate holders and other experts and engage with them in an interactive dialogue. Information on the work of the committee, including the schedule of meeting, is available on iGov. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.