The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mereseini Vuniwaqa yesterday chaired the Senior High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Midpoint Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022 in Beijing, China.
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in cooperation with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), is organizing the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Midpoint Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, in Beijing from 27 November to 1 December 2017.
Ministers from around the region had a collaborating dialogue on a number of evidence based initiatives that are drivers of programmes for the people living with disabilities. Hon. Mereseini Vuniwaqa, the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation attended this meeting on behalf of the Fijian Government.
The objectives of the meeting are:
• To undertake a midpoint review of the progress made, including gaps and challenges, in the implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, and the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific;
• To discuss the future policy direction for building disability-inclusive societies in Asia and the Pacific, bearing in mind the synergies between the Incheon Strategy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
• To consider and adopt an outcome document to accelerate the implementation of the Incheon Strategy for the remainder of the Decade.
The result of the forum will assist in striving to build more inclusive societies at a time of global economic uncertainties and rising inequality, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a unique opportunity to “leave no one behind” in development, and to support disability-inclusive development across Asia and the Pacific.
Fiji was recognized for the sterling work on the rights based and inclusive approach to Fijians living with disabilities. The midpoint review presents a good opportunity to take stock of the challenges and barriers that hinder the advancement to make a difference to the wellbeing and livelihoods of people with disabilities.
The drafted action plan will encourage member countries to invest in accelerated implementation of the Incheon Strategy moving forward.
Fiji has positional advantage given the 2013 impressive inclusion of the rights of people with disabilities which is in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The ratification of the UNCRPD, the strong legislative instruments and new government initiatives for social protection, employment, education and skills development, access to services, and data collection will provide the reliable platform for policy strategic enhancement.
Key to the next steps is the political will and commitment to people with disabilities.
Accompanying Hon. Vuniwaqa was the Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Josefa Koroivueta and the Executive Director for Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons, Dr Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa and Principal Welfare Officer, Ms Salote Biukoto.