UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Induction Workshop in China Kicked Off in Beijing

With full support from the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), this Workshop is jointly organized by UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office together with the ILO, UNFPA, UN Women, and WHO offices in China, under the coordination by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in China.

The Workshop is held on the basis of the shared vision of ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities are fully respected, protected and fulfilled, and all persons with disabilities can fully and equitably participate in society, while supporting China in accelerating the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and of disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and at the same time fulfilling the commitment to “Leave No One Behind” as outlined in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for China 2021-2025, and in response to China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for the Protection and Development of Persons with Disabilities.

With a localized programme and an all-round coverage on key elements such as the connection between CRPD and SDGs, equality and non-discrimination, accessibility, meaning participation, inclusive data, and gender equality, this Workshop aims to provide national stakeholders with crucial and foundational knowledge on the implementation of the CRPD and of disability-inclusive SDGs in practice, responding to China’s obligations.

Over 30 participants (around 80 per cent are women) representing UN agencies, government institutions, organizations of persons with disabilities, academia, and civil society organizations attended the first day of the Workshop. Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office and UNESCO Representative to China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia and Republic of Korea delivered opening remarks.

As Chair of the UN Theme Group on Disability (UNTGD), Prof. Shahbaz Khan highlighted in his opening remarks that 2022 marks an important year for the advancement of the rights of more than 85 million persons with disabilities and accessibility development in China. However, major challenges still remain in many aspects of life for persons with disabilities, but “with the right policy support and knowledge base which this Induction Workshop provides, these are opportunities where we can make meaningful changes for all”. He further reassured that the UN in China stands ready to continue cooperating closely with all stakeholders to advance disability inclusion in China, and called for collaborative effort amongst all partners.

On behalf of the UNTGD and UNESCO, Prof. Khan particularly expressed his gratitude towards the CDPF for its support, especially in providing insightful knowledge and expertise through sharing sessions, and to all of the participants at the Workshop.

This capacity building workshop, which will continue to be held on 15-18 November and 8-9 December 2022, is part of a 10-month inception phase of the UNPRPD programme in China that aims to advance CRPD implementation at the country level by focusing on the essential preconditions for disability inclusion across sectors, and improve and increase the implementation of disability-inclusive SDGs at the country level in addressing national priorities and gaps concerning persons with disabilities in national planning.

UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office, as Chair of the UNTGD in China, is positioned to lead the implementation of the UNPRPD programme in China. The UNTGD was established in 2015 as a unique, comprehensive, multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and advocacy on the needs and rights of persons with disabilities in China. Members of the UNTGD include UN agencies, CDPF, OPDs, CSOs, international and local NGOs, embassies/multilateral and bilateral organizations, and private sector partners.