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EU Statement -- UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive Dialogue with the Director of the Sustainable Development Unit, Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General

16.10.2025
New York
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

16 October 2025, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States at the UN General Assembly 80th Session Third Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Director of the Sustainable Development Unit, Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, Ms. Karima El Korri.

Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

We thank the Director for presenting the developments on disability inclusion in the UN system. 

Persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers, are at higher risk of poverty and social exclusion, and are often disproportionately affected in conflict and emergency situations. The EU and its Member States remain committed to improving the full spectrum of rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities, including their social and economic situation.

We have taken a wide range of measures in this regard, including funding for organizations of persons with disabilities as well as civil society organisations that work with persons with disabilities to build their capacity and support them in participating in the development of EU legislation and policies. 

The European Union and all its Member States are party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This important treaty has also guided the content of the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. 

We also actively participate in the Global Disability Summit. Its outcome document, the Amman-Berlin Declaration, is a concrete and powerful example, how the UN Convention can be translated into concrete measurable results for more inclusive projects in international cooperation. 

We commend the progress achieved with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and note that in some areas, the UN system has delivered tangible improvements in terms of disability inclusion, while in other areas progress stalled. 

We need to ensure that persons with disabilities can meaningfully engage in the design and implementation of programmes and policies, as well as in decision-making and political life. 

We welcome the recommendations of the Secretary General’s report, in particular the call for stronger institutionalisation of disability inclusion, and support the continuation of this important work.

Madam Director,

Could you share some examples of evidence-based best practices on fostering opportunities for persons with disabilities to be equally and fully involved in decision-making processes from the UN system?

Thank you.