Disabilities: Minister Locatelli leads Italian delegation at COSP 2023

NEW YORK, JUNE 13 – The 16th Conference of the State parties to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) kicked off today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Italy’s delegation, led by Minister Alessandra Locatelli, will make sure to express its support to the UN initiatives aimed at building an inclusive world for persons with disabilities.

“The Conference will be a precious opportunity to highlight some Italian best practices, shed light on the implementation of the reform of disability in Italy and exchange with other member States on the promotion and protection of rights enshrined in the UN Convention,” Locatelli wrote in a post on Facebook and Twitter.

An annual event since 2008, organized by the United Nations to discuss any matter with regard to the implementation of the CRPD in countries, the Conference is held as an in-person meeting from 13 to 15 June 2023 in the GA Hall and Conference Room 4.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted by the UN General Assembly by its resolution 61/106 of 13 December 2006. It came into force on 3 May 2008 upon its 20th ratification (they are now 186). The CRPD is a legally-binding agreement between Member States who have signed the Convention to uphold, promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities as defined in the treaty.

Article 40 of the CRPD stipulates that States Parties (signatories to the Convention) shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties (COSP) to consider any matter with regard to the implementation of the Convention. Since 2008, the COSP has been held annually at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, covering a range of themes and issues in round-tables, interactive dialogues and side-events. (@OnuItalia)