Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum convened a side meeting during COSP19.
Sponsored by the Government of Eswatini,
Co-Sponsored by Governments
of Canada and Ghana, Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum,
Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The 56 countries of the commonwealth cover 2.7 billion people. At 16% that means, according to WHO, 450 million disabled people. For 4 years the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum have been seeking to get a Commonwealth Disability Inclusion Action Plan agreed upon. An expert advisory group of 17 country experts had agreed a wording advised by an Advisory Group of DPO/OPD representatives. This is now agreed by the Law Ministers of the 56 Governments of the Commonwealth. We are very much hoping it will be adopted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Antigua in the first week of November 2026.
Coming in the 20th year of the UNCRPD this will mark a new era of disability rights implementation. It will be marked by a one day symposium in Antigua on 5th November. The meeting will build support for both these events. Speakers from across the commonwealth both DPOs and Governments will give examples of the good practice of Disability Inclusion. Discussion will be focused on how we can learn from each other and collaborate. Ensure your National DPO and Government are represented. View the Draft Commonwealth Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
Chair Sarah Kamau Chair CDPF, Kenya
Member Advisory Group Speakers:
Dep Prime Minister, Eswatini- Hon. Thulisile Dladla;
Parliamentary Secretary Canada Leslie Church,
Carla Qualtrough, Ex-Minister Disability, Canada, Advisory Group;
Justin Pettit, Acting Head Human Rights, Commonwealth Secretariat;
Rhoda Garland, Commissioner Rights PWD, Malta, Member of EWG;
Richard Rieser, UK, Gen Sec CDPF, (remotely);
Clare Gebellini, Ass Sec CDPF, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations;
Rasanjali Pathirage, CDPF Ass Sec, Nation Forum of Women with Disabilities, Sri Lanka;
Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah, Ghana Disability Federation
Kihembo Wilbert, Uganda Commonwealth Disabled Youth Forum (remotely).
