A Chinese government delegation attended the 19th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), held at UN headquarters in New York from June 9 to 11.
The session was themed CRPD at 20: celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world.
During the general debate, as well as multiple roundtables and side events, Chinese delegates shared China's concepts and practices in fulfilling the CRPD and in promoting inclusive development of persons with disabilities. They presented China's experience in protecting the human rights of persons with disabilities and shared China's approaches in this field, further demonstrating China's image as a responsible major country that respects and protects the human rights of persons with disabilities.
At a roundtable on strengthening care and support systems for persons with disabilities, a representative of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) delivered a keynote speech, The representative said that the Chinese government adheres to a people-centered development philosophy, and earnestly fulfills its obligations under the CRPD.
It has incorporated programs for persons with disabilities into the overall national economic and social development plans and has established robust social security and care service systems for persons with disabilities. These efforts continuously improved the well‑being, fulfillment, happiness and security of those with disabilities.
The CDPF also contributed as a supporting organization to side events including UNDIS 2.0: Celebrating Progress, Accelerating Action on Disability Inclusion across the United Nations, where it introduced relevant operational principles and practices.
During the session, Chang Jian, a law professor at Hainan University, was elected as a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the 2027-2030 term. This marked China's election to the committee again after a 10-year hiatus.
In addition, the CDPF, in collaboration with provincial disabled persons federations from East China's Zhejiang province and Northwest China's Qinghai province, organized an exhibition of cultural and creative works by persons with disabilities, along with the achievements China made in poverty reduction for persons with disabilities during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) at the UN headquarters.
The CRPD is the first international legal instrument in UN history to comprehensively protect the rights of persons with disabilities. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006 and entered into force in May 2008. To date, 192 states and one regional organization have ratified the convention.