Dear President, dear friends,

I speak on behalf of the European Union.

We remain firmly committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.

Our Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities remains the main tool for implementing the UN CRPD.

This year we delivered new initiatives and have continued efforts to mainstream a disability perspective throughout all EU policies. 

The introduction of a European Disability Card and a European Parking Card will facilitate the exercise of the right to free movement of persons with disabilities through mutual recognition of disability status across the European Union.

The cards will guarantee equal access to special conditions offered to persons with disabilities across the Union when accessing services.

We are also working closely with experts and organisations representing persons with disabilities to prepare Guidance on Independent Living and Inclusion in the Community.

The guidance will illustrate experiences and good practices when it comes to deinstitutionalisation and independent living.

This work is being complemented by a framework for Social Services of Excellence for persons with disabilities.

Both initiatives are planned for adoption later this year.

As a major donor, the EU continues advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in its external action and funds projects that strengthen implementation of the CRPD with partner countries.

Finally, for the first time ever, the European Union put forward a candidate in the elections to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

This was done to share our experience with the practical realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities, underlining the importance we place on the implementation of the CRPD.  

Thank you for the positive support for our candidate.

By the end of this year, we will have delivered on all flagship initiatives in our 10-year strategy.

As we approach its halfway mark, we plan to report on its implementation and update it where necessary.

We are also eager to engage with the CRPD Committee in the upcoming dialogue on the combined second and third EU reports.

This will be an opportunity to look ahead and discuss measures and priorities for the coming years.

The EU supports the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Pact for the Future and will continue to advocate for a disability rights perspective ahead of the Summit of the Future.

Thank you.