UN Resident Coordinator's Remarks on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Good Morning,

It is my pleasure to join you today. Even though I cannot be physically present, I couldn’t miss this year celebration as was the case in 2019.

I believe that our partnership with the Barbados Council for the Disabled in observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities is paramount.

This year’s theme: “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World” is central to the UN’s promise of the 2030 Agenda to ‘leave no one behind,’ . This is even more important in these unprecedented times.

Globally, COVID-19 has exacerbated existing socio-economic inequalities among the most vulnerable in our society. It could also compromise our ability to ensure an inclusive society and a sustainable future for all.  

Fortunately, greater attention is now being paid to its socio-economic consequences, as well as to the shadow pandemic of violence against women and girls, also a growing source of concern.

Today you will discuss on: ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on Persons with Disabilities’ and ‘Violence Against Persons with Disabilities’. This is timely, as if we are to build back better and more sustainably post-COVID, disability inclusion must be a part of the conversation.

It has been estimated that global GDP lost annually due to disability exclusion is between US$1.37 trillion and US$1.97 trillion. Promoting and protecting the right of persons with disabilities is not only a human rights imperative, it’s also good for the economy.

It is thus the critical to adequately invest in disability inclusion to ensure that the needs of persons with disabilities are addressed as we seek to recover from this pandemic.

In 2019, the UN Secretary General launched the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy as a call-to-action for the UN to lead by example, to bring about the transformative change we need to see.

Today I reaffirm on behalf of the UN our commitment to work with  the community of persons living with disabilities.  Because we want to ensure that the needs and rights of your community are met in your daily life and also during emergencies.

I am delighted to report that as of this year, all the countries in the Eastern Caribbean region have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is now our collective responsibility to implement the provisions of this convention. This is key to the attainment of the sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 10 reducing inequality within and among countries.  

Together we can and should build a more sustainable and inclusive world, recognizing the rights of all citizens everywhere; also affording them opportunities to influence decisions that impact their future.   

I wish you all the best in your discussions today and I look forward to our continued partnership.   

Thank you.