Excellencies, distinguished colleagues and friends.

The Philippines is pleased to co-sponsor this side event. The rights, needs, perspectives and well-being of persons with disabilities are important priorities of the Philippines.

As the co-facilitator of the resolution “Inclusive Development for and with Persons with Disabilities” which requested the Secretary-General to present a report on the progress and realization of the Sustainable Development Goals for and with persons with disabilities, the Philippines is looking forward to the release of the report and the information contained therein that could inform important policy-making, programs and initiatives.

The Philippines extends its appreciation to UN DESA, Member States, and  experts from the UN system, academia, NGOs, organizations and representatives of persons with disabilities,  civil society and all those who contributed to this report.

 The 2018 Disability and Development has clearly shown us that despite progress made, persons with disabilities continue to face numerous barriers to their full inclusion and participation in the life of their communities. It shed light on their disproportionate levels of poverty, their lack of access to education, health services and employment and their under-representation in decision-making and political participation.

The main barriers to inclusion entail discrimination and stigma on the grounds of disability, lack or inadequate access to physical and virtual environments, lack of access to assistive technology, essential services and rehabilitation and lack of support for independent living that are critical for the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities.

The 2024 report is an important follow-up to the 2018 Disability and Development Report as it provides crucial information on progress towards disability-inclusive development.

The 2030 Agenda which we all agreed to pledges to leave no one behind. It has recognized disability as a cross-cutting issue in the implementation of all the goals. The 2030 Agenda also includes seven (7) targets and eleven (11) indicators making reference to persons with disabilities, including on education, employment, transportation, public and green spaces, empowerment, and international cooperation and capacity-building for data disaggregation.

The Philippines is of the firm view that true sustainable development can only be attained if persons with disabilities are equally included as both agents of and beneficiaries of development. The country’s development plans consistently aims to achieve a progressive, healthy and secure life for every Filipino, especially for persons in situations of vulnerability, including persons with disabilities. Through the National Council on Disability Affairs, the Philippine Government undertakes to comply with its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as with our own Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.

One of the challenges in crafting and implementing effective policies and programs for persons with disabilities is the lack of reliable and evidence-based data. The Disability and Development Report is an important tool in addressing this challenge. This report shows best practices, challenges and lessons learned shared by Member States which can inform policies of other States for the latter to accelerate inclusive development that leaves no vulnerable sector behind. The report also provides crucial recommendations for Member States on how to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, vis-à-vis the 2030 Agenda and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

I look forward to learn more from the 2024 Disability and Development Report and I hope that we have an engaging discussion. Thank you.