António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, has called for global attention to the needs of the 1.3 billion people with disabilities.
Emphasizing their vital inclusion in decision-making across all sectors, Guterres underscored the necessity for their active involvement in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
This statement was reported on the official website of the United Nations spokesperson.
Guterres highlighted, “To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we must fulfill the promise of leaving no one behind, especially the 1.3 billion people with disabilities globally.”
He acknowledged that halfway towards the 2030 Agenda, people with disabilities still face systematic discrimination and barriers hindering their meaningful integration into society.
Stressing the need for actual sustainable development for people with disabilities, Guterres called for a strong focus on their needs and rights.
“This means ensuring people with disabilities are present at every decision-making table, aligning with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and as part of the efforts by states to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Guterres concluded his message by inviting the world to work alongside people with disabilities to design and deliver solutions based on equal rights in every country and community.
