PROJECT CLOSING AND FORWARD-LOOKING DIALOGUE ON DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

Excellencies, distinguished guests, colleagues, friends, 

Good morning. 

大家上午好! 

It is my great pleasure to join you at the Project Closing and Forward-Looking Dialogue on Disability-Inclusive Development in China.

Having only recently arrived as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, I am especially pleased to have this opportunity to meet many of our partners.

You are advancing disability inclusion across the country and to learn from your experiences and commitment.

Today’s event provides an important opportunity not only to reflect on the progress made through this UN Joint Programme, but also to look ahead to the next phase of efforts needed to create the conditions for persons with disabilities to contribute fully, exercise their rights and share in the benefits of development.

For the United Nations, disability inclusion is not a standalone issue. 

It is fundamental to human rights, sustainable development, and social progress.

In China, this agenda matters at scale: 

More than 85 million persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in access to services, learning, culture, work and broader participation in society.

This year is particularly significant, as we mark the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). 

Over the past two decades, the Convention has helped transform the global understanding of disability, from a medical and charity-based approach to one grounded in rights, dignity, participation and equality. 

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently said (in his remarks to the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD), and I quote:

“Too often, living with a disability means living in a world designed by and for others. Luckily, it is possible to redesign the world.” 

This is exactly why dialogues like today’s matter.

Today's dialogue is also timely, as we begin implementation of the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for China, 2026–2030. 

As we move into this new cycle of UN-China cooperation, we must continue to ensure that disability inclusion is reflected across policies, programmes and partnerships, rather than treated as a separate or secondary concern. 

Progress depends on partnership. 

I would like to acknowledge the leadership of UNESCO as Chair of the UN Theme Group on Disability in China… 

and to thank UNFPA, ILO, government partners, organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society and all stakeholders represented here today.

We are guided by a principle that the disability movement has championed for decades: "Nothing about us, without us." 

Persons with disabilities must be full partners in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.

The Resident Coordinator’s Office is committed to supporting coherent UN collaboration on disability inclusion in China. 

We see this Joint Programme as a strong example of what can be achieved when UN entities work together in a complementary way, alongside national and local partners, to support more inclusive development.

As we look ahead, I hope today's discussions will generate new ideas, strengthen collaboration, and help shape the next chapter of disability-inclusive development in China.

Let us continue working together to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only included in development, but empowered to help lead it.

Thank you, and I wish you a productive and inspiring dialogue.

谢谢大家！