Celebrating Leadership on International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024

On December 3, 2024, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was celebrated at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, under the theme, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.” This annual event honors the contributions of persons with disabilities and promotes global efforts toward greater inclusion and equity.

The event featured a commemorative in-person opening segment, co-moderated by Ms. Mina Mojtahedi, Disability Inclusion Team Lead at the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, and Dr. Mohammed Ali Loutfy, G3ict’s Director for Capacity Building and Advocacy, and DPI representative to the UN. They introduced the theme of the day and provided a policy overview of the global disability agenda, highlighting key achievements and milestones, such as developments from the 17th Conference of States Parties to the CRPD and the 79th session of the General Assembly.

Key speakers delivered remarks on progress and challenges in advancing disability inclusion:

• H.E. Mr. Antonio M. Lagdameo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN, and Co-Facilitator of the General Assembly Resolution on “Inclusive development for and with persons with disabilities”.
• H.E. Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Charge d’Affaires of Sri Lanka, and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, and President of the Conference of the State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP)
• Ms. Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, Global Advocacy Manager for Social Inclusion, Sightsavers and Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Ms. Heba Hagrass, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities (via video message)
• Mr. José Viera, Interim Executive Director of the International Disability Alliance (IDA)
• Mr. Charles Katoanga, Director of the Division of Inclusive Social Development at DESA, closed the session with a call to action for enhanced collaboration and advocacy.

The Opening Session was followed by a virtual panel discussion that delved into critical issues, including the Second World Summit for Social Development (2025), the five-year anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2475, and the intersection of the climate crisis and disability inclusion.

Mr. Axel Leblois, G3ict’s Founder and President Emeritus, presented during the event, focusing on the Global Digital Compact and the leadership of persons with disabilities. He emphasized the need for inclusive and accessible technological innovations aligned with the rights and needs of marginalized groups.

Key Outcomes and Future Focus

IDPD 2024 echoed the global disability rights movement’s call, 'Nothing About Us Without Us,' by highlighting the leadership of persons with disabilities in shaping policy change. It also offered a glimpse into key upcoming events, such as the Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025, and into the ongoing implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

Watch the event on UN Web TV.