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UNITED NATIONS – INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 12/3/15

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>> Good morning. Please take your seats. We're going to start in a moment. >> Good morning again. I would like to welcome you all to the commemoration of the 2015 international day of persons with disabilities. The theme, inclusion matters. Access and empowerment for people of all abilities. We are very fortunate to start the day with a very unique musical performance by Korean artists involved by the special Olympics committee of the Republic of Korea to the 2015 international day celebration. First, we will be treated to an exquisite duet of the violin and a guitar followed by a trio of clarinets. (Applause). ¶¶ (Applause). (Applause). ¶¶ ¶¶ (Applause). (Applause). (Applause). ¶¶ (Applause). ¶¶ (Applause). >> Thank you very much for the wonderful music you brought us from Korea. I would like now to invite the speakers for the opening of the first part of the day to join me here on the podium. It was decided that all of us from the podium had the right to enjoy this beautiful performance by looking at the musicians. I would now invite the Secretary-General to deliver his opening remarks for the international day of persons with disabilities. >> Thank you, Ms. Bas for your hosting. Let me thank the musicians for their excellent performance. I thank the ambassador, a representative of the Republic of Korea for inviting them here today. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm very honored to be with you today. Three months ago, the international community adopted the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. The leaders agree we must leave no one behind. The agenda is built on 17 inspiring sustainable development goals. We have set our sights high with a clear aim to empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all persons including persons with disabilities. Ladies and gentlemen, the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and the outcome of the general assembly high level meeting on disability and development both emphasize the important role of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. Respecting their rights and their dignity. As the word is set out to implement the 2030 agenda, persons with disabilities must be recognized for what they are, effective agents of change whose contributions bring enormous benefit. More and more countries get it. They are developing a better understanding of the importance of empowerment and equality for persons with disabilities this sustainable development. They are taking action in partnership with the society and international organizations. We are making incredible progress yet there is much more to be done. Earlier this year in Japan, the United Nations of third world conference on risk reduction advanced the disability inclusive risk reduction agenda, sending a clear message that persons with disabilities are an essential resource for implementation of the framework International efforts are underway to bring the vision and success of (Inaudible) to the summit in May 2016. At the third international conference on human settlement, UN habitat, Ecuador in October, the voice of persons with a disabilities will be critical to ensuring an inclusive, accessible and sustainable urban development agenda. As we move forward, we need to strengthen development policies and practice to ensure that accessibility is a part of inclusive and sustainable development. We account for persons with invisible disabilities whose needs and voice are often left unconsidered and unheard. The theme for this day says it all. Inclusion matters. Let the message from the international community be clear. Together with the persons with disabilities, we can have a sustainable future. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you, Secretary-General for your remarks. I would like to invite Ms. Catherine Pollard from the DGACM to speak. >> Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, as we commemorate the international day of persons with disabilities, we are reminded about our long journey from this very conference room almost ten years ago. The ad hoc committee met here to consider proposal for a comprehensive and integral convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Capable and distinguished representatives of your governments and passionate members of civil society were acting in the interest of all the people with disabilities in the world. And forged ahead with a draft of a unique human rights convention to establish by law the need to remove the barriers of exclusion which kept an enormous part of humanity from contributing to the development of the societies of the United Nations member states. And now, as stated by the Secretary-General, the 2030 agenda summons up to leave no one behind. From the days of the ad hoc committee, our journey brought us to Rio plus 20 in '2012 where the United Nations with Brazil facilitated the conference participants and public at-large with sign interpretation, Braille and electronic documents, physical access and realtime captioning. We now provide accessible conference services to the sessions of the state’s parties of the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities here and the sessions of the committee on the rights of persons with disabilities in Geneva. Where we can, we arrange accessible format to service disability-specific meetings and very recently, we supported the sustainable development summit with international sign interpretation. Among so many examples of concrete support and facilitation from many governments around the world, I would like to draw your attention to the accessible center here at UN headquarters. In May 2013, my department reached out to member states, seeking voluntary contributions to enhance our conference services to meeting participants with disabilities. The Republic of Korea responded very positively and in June 2013, made a formal offer to provide tools and technologies to assist the secretary to enable those with disabilities to attend the meetings and conferences of the United Nations. On the 4th of December, 2014, the accessibility center was inaugurated and the base is steadily growing each year. Our department, together with the department of economic and social affairs cochairs the interdepartmental task force on accessibility which, through networking and consultation with other departments such as the department of management, the department of public information, and the office of the United Nations high commission of the human rights as well as other departments and offices outside observers and representatives of the community of people with disabilities strives to achieve the goal of ensuring accessibility and inclusion in the activities of the UN secretariat. One of the highlight of the work was the initiative to draft the Secretary-General's bulletin on employment and accessibility for staff members with disabilities in the United Nations secretariat which was promulgated in 2014. The recently-adopted general assembly resolution on the pattern of conferences welcomes measures taken to ensure access and the use of conference services and conference facilities for persons with disabilities including the support of the accessibility center and encourages us to continue to make further efforts. It further requests the Secretary-General to continue to address issues related to accessibility of conference facilities as a matter of priority and to report to the 71st session of the general blame. DGACM is committed to provide accessible conference services as mandated and with the necessary support. As you can see, we have our hands full with a lot ahead of us. Together with our colleagues in the UN secretariat and the wide community of friends of inclusion and accessibility, we will work to fulfill this task together with member states taking guidance and inspiration from you all. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you very much, Under Secretary-General Pollard for your remarks. And now I invite society representatives to speak on their commitment to action for inclusion 2030 development agenda. I would like now to invite Mr. Matheson of disabled peoples international to speak. >> I would like to thank the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for my invitation to be here along like-minded people such as your excellency Catherine Pollard and other delegates here today. I'm delighted to be here today celebrating the international day of persons with disabilities. When I look at the world as a mother with a disability, I immediately face physical barriers, attitudinal barriers, social and economic barriers that limit our full potential around the world. About 20 years ago, I was involved in a car accident and became a wheelchair user. In just one second, despite your wealth, your education or your social status, accident or illness could happen to you. And you could become a person with a disability permanently. The most shocking thing after my accident was when I realized how differently society viewed and treated a person with a disability. When the use of my legs was taken away, lots of abilities, experiences, opportunities and dignity were also taken away from me. Today, there are more than 1.3 billion people living with some form of disability and the numbers are growing. While we have made great strides toward creating an inclusive and accessible world, our work is never ending. As a Paralympian, I'm excited my hometown, Tokyo will host the Paralympic games in 2020. The chairperson of the international Paralympic committee said the games are considered to be the best event for driving societal change for the better of everyone. The president of the IAAF recently describes the London Paralympic as a piece of the social engineering that went way beyond any legislation. The ideal society will enable people of all abilities to participate and contribute as productive member of the community. Together we need to embark on a long-term program of inclusion and to encourage all people to maximize their development of whatever disability they possess rather than focusing on any perceived lack thereof The theme of this year's international day of persons with disabilities, inclusion matters. Access and empower for people with all abilities therefore could not have been more relevant. With the world looking at the agenda 2030, the time to make the right deal for people with disabilities is now. In closing, I would like -- I would ask you to try to imagine a totally united, inclusive and accessible global community. What freedom! Hold this dream in your minds for just a minute. And we are already one step closer. Would it be the best world ever! Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you so much for your remarks and indeed the nature is very generous but takes away what has given to us. I understand you and I share your feelings. I became paraplegic at the age of 6 in just a few days so it may happen. As you said, if it is an inclusive world, then the feeling of freedom is wonderful and nobody is left behind. Thank you. I would like now to ask Miss Malenis to deliver her remarks. Thank you. >> Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, I speak to you today as a representative of the international disability alliance and the international disability and development consortium. I would like to extend gratitude from all our members to UN member states and the UN system for working together with us to ensure that agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals explicitly include persons with disabilities. The SDGs recognize the importance of our full participation and inclusion across all stages of development from planning and design to implementation and monitoring. Today is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and look ahead to what we must still achieve, working with you in the next 15 years and beyond. The convention on the rights of persons with disabilities is the blueprint for how to truly realize inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. Together, the CRPD and agenda 2030 strengthen one another. And set a path for inclusive and participatory world for all. As of today, 60 member states have signed and ratified the convention and have committed to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities. And yet 80% of persons with disabilities still live in poverty. This is not acceptable in 2015 and let us make sure it is unthinkable in 2030. It is time to seek commitments translated into action. The implementation of an inclusive 2030 agenda that truly leaves no one behind. The members of the international disability alliance and international disability and development consortium are ready to contribute to and be included in the implementation of agenda 2030 as equal partners in the process. At the same time, we are calling for disability peoples to be members in this process. We must collaborate and move forward. We are calling for a disability data revolution. In which we can become active participants to measure the achievements of people with disabilities. For more than 10 years, persons with disabilities have expressed nothing about us without us and we've meant it. Let us now collaborate with you to build an inclusive society and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are realized through the new framework in all aspects from the local and national to regional and global levels. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you for your inspiring words. I would now like to invite professor Motoo Kuskabe to deliver his presentation. Thank you. >> Thank you very much for your very kind introduction and thank you very much for the musicians and the representatives of the societies. Thank you, Ban Ki-Moon and distinguished guests. I'm very much honored to address to this influential audience. As I ponder over academy and research institutions, I'm representing some research community to address for the mental disability issues. As we are working for the last seven years to identify so-called invisible disability issues and identify some causes of the disability and process and the path to become the mental illness. Very briefly summarize the five points on the results of our survey. Our survey conducted in United Kingdom and Japan, presenting 11 cities which include Tokyo, London, Liverpool and many small towns in these countries. And although these cover only two countries, this conclusion may apply to some other European and also Korea, China, and many of the developing countries as well. I summarize the conclusion on the five points. We investigated almost 7,000 people asking detailed life history of each person so that we find out some of the invisible cause of the disabilities. We ask to identify 42 risk factors and 23 so-called resilience factors. What is the real cause of the mental illness which causes the mental impact on the modern day world. The first findings is the proliferation of the risks among young generations. Almost doubling the number from that of the previous of their parent's generation. We focus on the five developmental risks which include the following five indicators. The number one is a word -- with other children. The second one is a learning difficulty. Third someone a truancy from school and fifth one being deployed. Fifth one socially withdrawal. And these five factors almost doubled in the young generation compared with previous -- their parent's generation. And we found that most of the developmental risks very much proliferating in the young generation. Young generation -- I mean less than 34 years old. And the second finding is the risks were mostly determined by social factors. Of course, there are other factors. Medical factors and some hereditary factors. But in the case of mental illness, most important determinant is a social relationship. So this is rather a social issue. And the third findings which we found is the most important social relationship is the relationship with the mother or parents. And according to our results, that the most important determinant of the child's truancy is that the mother's psychological stress. So we need to address that mother's problem as well. The full finding is isolation. We found that the most important risk factors for the mental problems are the isolation from other communities. But the fifth finding which is most important, many so-called resilience factors which can mitigate the risks of the transmission of the risks. This resilience factors include confidence, trust in others and family support and family support from friends and neighbors among others. However these resilience factors only effective in those cities which has a social capital abundant and also that local governments and the civil society has an effort in identifying these risks at this stage and apply preventive measures. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> I think that you gave us some food for thought and particularly when it comes to isolation, we're talking about inclusive and accessible societies and cities and working environments. So indeed isolation is a major factor. I would like to thank you very much and invite his excellency Mr.-- to share his remarks. We thank the Secretary-General. He leaves us to take care of other issues that I think are piling up on his desk. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary-General for being here with us. (Applause). >> I do apologize Mr. Secretary-General and ambassador Gallegos This is my fault. I wasn't wearing my glasses properly. Actually, we are going to also hear the remarks of ambassador Gallegos before you leave us. I do apologize. In this case, he will talk to us in representing the society. The floor is yours. Thank you. I'm sorry. >> Thank you, Daniela. Probably it is a very good omen that you omitted me at the beginning. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for staying and with his team. Excellencies, members of the panel, ladies and gentlemen, madam Pollard mentioned something that I have been a participant in this room, a chairman of the committee that you mentioned. Where we met ten years ago to elaborate the convention on persons with disabilities. I have to recognize the leadership of the civil society that met here and the governments that were brave enough to negotiate a treaty on human rights. With the opposition of many countries and many powerful countries. We on the 13th of December of 2016 as has been mentioned by many panelists, this convention will have ten years. Mr. Secretary-General, many of the criticisms of the United Nations, one must recognize that that is a breaking -- that is breaking the traditions of law in all the world. It is the convention that has changed society. We may look at it in analysis of ten years and we will see that people with disabilities in 160 nations that have signed and ratified this plus the resolution on the 13th of December of ten years ago have made an imprint in our society -- in our world society. There has been a change. There is a long road, a very long road to eliminate discrimination. But the society of the world has changed. The appreciation and role of the UN has to be recognized in the sense. The call to action and the sustainability development goals have to eliminate and should look forward to eliminating discrimination across the board for persons with disabilities. To make what we call a more holistic and inclusive society. You're either born with a disability, you acquire it as our fellow panelists have mentioned by accidents, by sickness, by war, and by many other causes. But certainly, as we age, we will be disabled. And this is a reality that has confronted us in all of our lives. Therefore, Mr. Secretary-General and members of the panel, it is not one billion people alone. It is all of us. It is not a vulnerable minority. It is all of us. And what the world learns that this is about all of us, it may, it may change more. It may appreciate the profundity of all life and the differences and diversity that have to be respected. Mr. Secretary-General, today we deal with one of the great challenges ahead. Invisible or intellectual disability. The musicians that were playing here for special Olympics Korea that we must thank the representative of Korea for his contribution, are representatives of what an organization can do to change in 180 countries. Invisible and intellectual disability is by far one of the challenges of the society today. We must move forward to change our societies and to make them more inclusive. But we must begin by ourselves looking at ourselves in the mirror and seeing where we discriminate and against who we discriminate. And that may be the lesson on the profound lesson for our families, our children and all society. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Your excellency, Gallegos, advisor to the foundation, thank you very much for your remarks. Now I announce the departure of the Secretary-General. Thank you. (Applause). >> I invite the panelists of this part to leave the podium and others will share with us additional remarks and statements to keep celebrating this beautiful day, the 3rd of December. Thank you. >> It is my pleasure to invite the representatives who are sitting on the podium to share with us their commitment to action. And first I have the honor to invite his excellency Mr. Oh Joon of the Republic of Korea. He will deliver his remarks. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to be here with you today to celebrate this year's international day of persons with disabilities. Since its designation in 1992, this festive day has been observed every year with renewed hope and solidarity. This year, we are especially honored by the presence of Mr. Secretary-General who was here and our musicians with disabilities. I dare say this celebration is the most meaningful yet given several reasons. I would like to briefly explain them in my capacity as president of conference of state parties to the CRPD. First of all, we succeeded in including disability as a close cutting issue for the 2030 agenda for sustainability development. Just one year ago on this very occasion, I emphasized the dire importance of reflecting disability in the new agenda. At that time, it was merely our common aspiration. Now, however, it is our concrete, shared commitment that requires implementation at all levels. It is a significant step forward in our efforts to fully include and empower the one billion persons with disabilities around the world. Second, the United Nations is now better poised to lead by example in protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. I'm very pleased that the resolution tabled by the Republic of Korea along with Antigua and Brazil, Italy, Poland and Tanzania, was adopted ten days ago in the third committee with 128 cosponsoring countries. This landmark resolution entitled tour the full -- of an accessible UN for persons with disabilities calls for a unified and comprehensive policy to enable, delegate staff and visitors in the United Nations to participate in meetings and events and on equal footing. Through this resolution, the UN will be able to lead by example and ensure we leave no one behind particularly persons with disabilities. Last but not least, interest in and engagement with disability issues have been surging in the international arena. The number of state parties to CRPD has grown into 160. Next year, the general assembly will convene two panel discussions. One as a follow-up to the high level meeting on disability and development and the other as a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of this the CRPD. The commission for social development will also convene a panel on discussion, a panel discussion on disability. We need to take full advantage of all of these upcoming occasions so that we can make substantial advancements in our endeavor to make the world more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities. Before I conclude, I would like to invite all of you to two very special events to be held later today. As you may have already noticed on your way to this room, artwork by Mr. Kim on children with intellectual disabilities are on display. There will be an event to launch this at 6:00 p.m. today right in front of this conference room. At 7:00 p.m., there will be a reception at the Republic of Korea's mission in honor of persons with disabilities cohosted by a close regional group including Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia. Please refer to the invitations on your table for more details for these two events. I hope to see all of you tonight. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you very much, ambassador Oh Joon this is the second time to invite them to an event. Very brave. We will continue indeed to learn from the on-going efforts to the disability of the 2030 development agenda under the theme. Reflecting on the extraordinary gains in disability inclusion in the third world conference on disaster reductions in Japan. And in March of this year, continuing with the UN humanitarian summit. In May, there will be this very important summit in Turkey and then there is going to be inclusive urban development in October next year. So many, as you said, opportunities are given to implement the achievements and the efforts of member states within the UN to make the world inclusive for all. And leaders recognize the persons with disabilities are agents of change and essential in source -- resource for disaster risk reduction. In Nairobi in October of this year, DESA through the division had an opportunity to lead the group. Urban development. We will keep you updated. I would like now to invite his excellency ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa from the permanent representative of Japan, organizer of the conference to make his statement. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Good morning, everybody. I want to start by thanking the Korean musicians who performed beautiful music this morning. I also enjoyed listening to the panel discussion. I wish to extend my appreciation to the UN DESA and my fellow cosponsors for organizing this development. My appreciation also goes to the panelists and participants to today's event including a large delegation from Japan. Welcome to New York. I wish to focus on two issues. One is the conference of disaster risk reduction. Second is Paralympics in 2020 in Tokyo. On the first topic, the Secretary-General already spoke about the significance of the UN world conference on disaster risk reduction held in March in Japan. I want to focus on the -- a physical aspect. In Sendai, barrier free access was realized throughout the conference venue. And services for captioning and sign language interpretation were provided as well. I was there with Secretary-General, 6,500 participants including more than 200 persons with disabilities participated in the Sendai conference. We have since received numerous comments calling for Sendai conference to serve as a model for accessibility for future UN conferences. Second topic that I want to speak is the Paralympic games to be hosted in Tokyo in 2020. Miki Matheson spoke eloquently on this subject already. The name, Paralympic games was first used during the 1964 Tokyo summer Olympic games. It was also the 1964 games, Paralympic games that defined the format of all Paralympic games to follow by utilizing the venue of the Olympic games and by inviting the participation of all manner of persons with disabilities, not limited to those in wheelchairs. In 2020, we intend to use the opportunity to extend barrier-free access and expanded information on communications technology to all relevant areas in Japan. We hope that's the outcome of Sendai conference will contribute to the discussions at the conference to be held in 2016. Also we hope the Quito Habitat III outcome will serve as a guide for our Olympic and Paralympic games to be held in 2020. It is an important milestone in the global efforts to remove physical institutional and psychological barriers throughout society that hinder the full participation of persons with disability. I thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you for your remarks, ambassador Yoshikawa from the permanent mission of Japan. I invite now the cosponsor of the day, his excellency, ambassador Gillian Bird, permanent representative of the mission of Australia to deliver her remarks. And they will be I understand in the context of the humanitarian crisis. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for this opportunity to speak on the important occasion marking the international day of persons with disabilities. And let me also begin by congratulating the wonderful musicians from Korea who, as ambassador Oh Joon mentioned, we will have the opportunity to hear again tonight at the Korean mission. Can I also thank the inspiring representatives from civil society who we've heard here today this morning. With the world humanitarian summit to be held next year, I thought I would focus my remarks on the importance of disability inclusiveness in humanitarian crises. Supporting the dignity, rights and well-being of people during humanitarian crises is a difficult task. For people with disabilities, this task is even more difficult. Tragically, in many disaster situations, the mortality rate of people with disabilities is up to four times higher than the general population. It is often harder for people with disabilities to reach safety during conflict and disasters and harder for them to access mainstream emergency support. Such as food distribution, shelter or sanitation. Fortunately, there is a growing understanding that this disparity needs to be addressed and addressed now. For our part, we're committed to ensuring our aid program and humanitarian efforts reach and empower people with disabilities. Earlier this year, Australia launched a development for all. 2015-2020 disability strategy to make sure the needs of the most vulnerable individuals in communities are considered before, during and after a crisis. Through the Australia Indonesia facility for disaster, risk initiative, we also provide children with disabilities and their families with grants. Disaster preparedness and training to assist them evacuate during disasters. As I mentioned, the world humanitarian summit in May next year provides a unique opportunity to reform the international humanitarian system. It will be critical to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities remain at the forefront of this process. In conclusion, can I also acknowledge and thank all of you here today who seek a better outcome for people with disabilities. The work that you and your organizations do is critical. And Australia for its part will continue to work with you to ensure that the voice and needs of people with disabilities are heard and as importantly acted upon. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you ambassador Bird from the permanent mission of Australia. I would like to invite now his excellency, Mr. Grignon from Kenya. >> Let me begin by thanking the organizers for having invited me to this podium this morning. To be here in observance of this occasion of the 2015 international day of persons with disabilities and to speak to the theme of this meeting. Let me also extend my hearty congratulations to my colleague, the ambassador of Korea who has shown amazing commitment to the persons with disabilities, not just today but previously many times. And I'm not surprised to see that the effort that he has made to bring this wonderful musicians here today and all he has promised for us during the course of the rest of the day. Thank you very much. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the support and valuable contributions you all have made. As you know, toward the adoption of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Many of you will remember that I was president of the convention of state parties on the convention of people with disabilities for a period of two years. During that period which was also concurrently the beginning of the period of the development of the sustainable development goals, I became very heavily influenced by this constituency of people who are living with disabilities and I must say I never lost sight of that issue during the process as cochair of the SDG and as the cofacilitator of the post-2015 agenda process. It was indeed a great honor for me to be able to champion the cause of people with disabilities. One of the most crucial achievements of the new development agenda is that unlike the MDGs, it has ensured persons with disabilities have not been left behind. And that have been given the full attention and placement in our agenda. Persons with disabilities have been specifically referenced in a number of goals that include goal four which is on education. Growth and employment goal which is goal eight. Inequality goals, accessibility of human settlement goals. That is goal 11. As well as on data collection monitoring and SDGs which is goal 17. But I can assure you that the entire agenda is dedicated in very many ways to leaving no one behind. And throughout all 17 goals, people with disabilities have full claim on the achievement of those goals and they should reach out to exercise that claim. On education, you know, we speak specifically to the elimination of gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable including all peoples and persons with disabilities. The goal is a foundation toward equal and accessible education for persons with disabilities as it speaks to building -- learning environments and to provide the much-needed assistance for persons with disabilities. As we know, education is one of the most powerful ways to empower people who are living with disabilities. In goal 8.5, the target six to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and children including for persons with disabilities by 2030. Again, we all know that gainful employment is a fundamental way of empowering people who are living with disabilities. The need to achieve full and productive employment for persons with disabilities is critical. And it is important to ensure the inclusivity of persons with disabilities in both economic and productive employment. In goal 10, we seek to reduce inequalities within and among nations and lay emphasis on empowering and promoting social economic, political inclusion of all including persons with disabilities and this is a very instrumental goal, I would say. Which was very difficult to negotiate if many of you will recall. Goal 11 on inclusive cities, this was mentioned a little earlier. By others. Cannot be realized without taking into account matters of creating accessible cities, accessible water resources, affordable, sustainable transport systems and by providing universal access to green and public spaces, particularly again for persons with disabilities who in many cities are really left out and left excluded. Goal 17 require member states to enhance the statistical societies to ensure there is adequate supply of quality, timely data that is also desegregated. Because if we can't count them, if we can't identify them, we cannot respond to them. And that doesn't matter whether we're talking about children, women or people living with disabilities. It is indeed a matter of being able to identify them and to be able to respond to their needs in ways in which reflect their felt needs. So indeed, as was said here earlier, I think it was by -- by Maleni Chaitoo that inclusion has to be of all people at all stages of development from design right through to implementation. And that is indeed the intention of this goal. And the 2030 agenda for sustainable development therefore adopts a comprehensive and people-centered transformative development goals and targets. And the implementation of all other goals including the goals to poverty and hunger to ensure dignity, equality, protection of our environment, to ensure prosperity and fulfilling lives, all of these are an integral part of what it means to be a person irrespective of your abilities. And that is crucial for us to understand. Let me conclude by also reminding us that I think as has been hinted by my colleague from Australia, that in dealing with these matters whether in the context of challenges in the world that, freedom from conflict and -- is a human right and a fundamental one. The essential foundation for building peaceful and prosperous societies is, in itself, crucially predicated on nonviolence and on the protection of human rights. War and conflict are not only a major cause of disability but disproportionately affect persons with disability. We see this -- this is also the situation with poverty. It is not only a -- it is not only a cause of disability, poverty that is. It also affects people with disability, disproportionately and therefore we have to respond to in a very special way in the context of people with disabilities. So on this auspicious day, we are called upon to speak to solutions for inclusivity by those to reflect on situations that foster the better solutions to eliminate all the challenges that we live in our world collectively. And again, I'll conclude with something that was said by Ms. Maleni Chaitoo which is that the world of today, the world of 2030 must look very different and must be very different from the world of today. The experience of living in that world has to be fundamentally transformed so that people of disability can have equitable existence opportunities as everybody else. I thank you all very much. (Applause). >> Ambassador, thank you for your very empowering words. I join to the United Nations in New York four years and a half ago and I had the honor to serve with two chairs -- with two presidents that are of the conference of the -- the convention on persons with disability. Mr. Oh Joon and you. I would like now, his excellency Diego Morejon Pazmino, permanent representative of the permanent nation of Ecuador to make his statement. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, former speakers, I would like to thank the musicians who started the day. Very first one, famous piece from the Spanish composer which is very difficult to play. So I renew my applause to them. The universal design and accessibility in the urban space are both terms that have gained recognition during last year because of the intended -- on every processed good, product and service to be clear, comprehensible and usable by all persons in the most safe and comfortable less stressful manner has the perspective to be narrow. During the negotiations, the process of the post-2015 development agenda, Ecuador expressed its views on the need to quietly reflect the rights of vulnerable people in particular people with disabilities. Ecuador supported for the word disability to be included under building and upgrading of educational facilities, on promoting inclusion and employment and work. Ecuadorian legal framework the access to people with disability to live in a safe and inclusive environment, access to space and public products and services in a sustainable manner. Our comments on the revision of the three issue paper number one about inclusive cities expressed that it is from -- by adopting measures to foster in cities. Our political commitment is withstanding behind the recognition of the right for a safe and healthy habitat, adequate housing, access and enjoyment of public spaces and public participation during the design implementation and evolution of public policies related to housing and urban development. >> It is important to recall the appointment of Ban Ki-Moon of a disabled person of accessibility. During his tenure as former vice president of Ecuador from 2007 to 2013, Mr. Moreno led significant national advancements on social inclusion and integration of persons with disabilities and as UN special envoy, he has strongly advocated for a wider recognition of rights with people with disabilities in a more inclusive global society. He still does it. I'm very glad to see here under us, ambassador Gallegos, a good friend of mine. He's a former permanent representative of Ecuador to the United Nations twice. His speech was very sensitive and very straight. I'm very thankful for his words and recalling him as well as he said. Disability touches all of us. So let's work together. Finally, let me restate the invitation for all of you to visit Ecuador and participate in the proprietary process and all of the activities organized are on the third UN conference of housing and sustainability development from 17-20 November of 2016. It will be a pleasure to have you all there. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> I thank you very much for your statement and allow me to apologize again. For the little mistake I made this morning. Thank you very much again. Now we have learned of the vision, action and commitment for the next steps to the disability inclusive global development agenda and we will continue further with a commitment to action to implement the 2030 agenda including persons with disabilities. Therefore, I would like to invite his excellency, ambassador Sebastiano Cardi to deliver his remarks. As you might have noted, I pronounced his name and family name perfectly being Italian myself. Thank you. >> Thank you, Daniela. Also I pronounce very well because I'm Italian. Thank you for your tireless efforts on this very important issue. And for being Italian, of course. So Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to join a very distinguished staff of speakers on the situation of the occasion on the international day of persons with disabilities. Is important of course could not be stated in better terms. Italy promotes the rights of people with disabilities be they physical or mental. In a holistic approach as said before including empowering their ambitions and career paths, rendering working environments, more -- especially in raising awareness. Governments must do much more. They must increase especially the attention to education as has been reminded before. Music and thank you to the fantastic musician we have heard before. And I would like also to stress -- as Yoshikawa was mentioning, it is important for an important means of integration for these people. Both physically and mentally disabled. In this goal, we feel more privilege and responsible of Italy's currently holding the position of vice chair on the persons with disabilities for 2015-2016. It is a commitment under the leadership of the Republic of Korea and the ambassador. And many other likeminded countries among them the ones sitting at the table. To put forward the resolution toward the full renovation of an inclusive -- for people with disabilities. Last week, we spoke with 120. It takes a comprehensive -- on the theme. Aiming not only at improving infrastructural accessibility of the UN for disabled people but also at raising awareness on disability issues. Which is much more important. And on its social implication. As well as on the actual working contribution of disabled people to the UN. And we know there are many. It is very important. Very significant. Please be assured that Italy stands ready to confirm and increase its engagement in improving rights and conditions of people with disabilities aware that making significant steps forward would certainly contribute to render the world more fair and include for all. In this regard, I recall the multiple reference of ambassador said, disability choosing agenda 2015. We look forward to the full attainment of these objectives. As you said, the world will be a different place then if possible. And this new international developing framework. Ladies and gentlemen, here at the UN, we as members face every day so many difficult challenges Sometimes we succeed in solving them. Sometimes we fail. On issues such as disability, we cannot and we will not fail I think thanks also to efforts of passion of people like ambassador Gallegos Together member states of the nations can achieve so much if they are united. As has been reminded to make the world a better place for people with any form of disability. Let us continue our commitment toward this important goal. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> I thank you very much your excellency, ambassador Cardi from the Italian permanent mission. Allow me just to say that behind the words that we're hearing this morning, there are people. And we people sitting on this side or on that side, we do have our personal stories. And I would like you to assure that most of what has been said so far, it has a human touch in it. I would like now to ask his excellency Mr. Roman Oyarzun Marchesi for his remarks from the permanent representative of Spain. >> Thank you very much, Daniela. Thank you very much Thank you to the ambassador of the Republic of Korea. First for having me again this year at the podium and second, because he decided to have the song played this morning. I have to recall this is the most difficult piece for any guitar to be played So thank you very much for those two things. I will make a few remarks. I'll try to be brief. My first idea is persons with disabilities were traditionally forgotten in the mapping of development policies. I think that the most important turning point happened in 2006 with the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. A second important highlight this long way took place in September 2013 in a high-level meeting that took place in New York and that was cofacilitated by Philippines and Spain. The important outcome of that meeting was that it did recognize very clearly that persons with disabilities should be included in development planning policies. And from that final document, I would like to extract two ideas. The first one it said very clearly that the -- 15% of persons in the world that live in bad conditions, the risk of living or poverty is 80% higher than in the rest of the world. The second idea was that persons with disabilities, especially women and girls, are still subject to multiple and aggravated situations that remained -- and this is not good -- essentially invisible to the millennium development goals. Since then, my country has made every effort to comply with the conventions and with better policies. And in the last master plan of action of Spain, we did emphasize one important thing which is the role of civil society. In Spain, we consult every single day, every single minute with civil society in order to receive from civil society the views and the sensitivities. I have to say that this master plan of action, its priorities and its concrete actions are in many aspects viewed to the views of civil society. And I know that a lot of people are civil society are here. So you play a very, very important role. The millennium development goes as I said will -- persons with disabilities were not taking into real consideration but that's fortunately did not happen in the new agenda that we recently established in 2015. And I'm very thankful to the ambassador of Kenya that has gone through a very careful analysis of all the goals we have in that agenda and I have to recognize that he played ambassador, an instrumental role in having persons with disabilities very high in the agenda. But I also have to say that from our perspective from Spanish perspective, we as a delegation, we did promote every single minute and every single meeting, the idea of having the right language of persons with disabilities in the final document. And I think that after that, after we succeeded in having a new agenda until 2030, the main word that I will have to retain here today with you is implementation. It is all about implementation. We are very good in drafting up documents. We are very good in drafting up action plans But now, what we need to do is implement! And have those documents translated into the real so that persons with disabilities will tell the difference because of us. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you your excellency, ambassador Marchesi from Spain and also for highlighting the aspect of multiple discriminations at times suffered by persons with disabilities. And the role of the civil society. And to keep in mind the 2030 agenda is universal. And needs to be now translated into action. I wish to thank the panelists and the speakers of this morning. Thank you very much for being here. The first part of the opening ceremony of this day is now closing. To open to -- to have a smooth transition to the second part of the day. I thank you very much. (Applause). And the video will follow. >> Their rights are well-protected. >> Today is a day we commit ourselves to more voices. With the collaboration work of all of the development sector. Disability is not only has concern but we need to consider the way persons with disability from their experiences are facing the discrimination. We have to establish force into the time of change so they can contribute in the overall inclusive development and can envision a society where everyone is enjoying a dignified and life full of equality. >> On behalf the committee of the persons with disabilities, it is important to underline the connection between human rights of persons with disabilities and the agenda 2030. In our view, it is necessary, this connection because it has to give power to enable development goals. >> (Inaudible). >> We first planned to establish benchmarks in regards to awareness and attitudes and building on finding from our research, we'll collaborate with partners to be a driving force in a development and implementation of key policies and programs that break down physical barriers for people with disabilities. Working with private and public sector organizations, we intend to create tools including certification that will help assess levels of accessibility and identify ways to remove barriers in the environment. In order to move from commitment to action and reach these goals, collaboration will be the key. And throughout our work, we plan to continue to connect thought leaders and influencers who share in our vision through events, forums, summits and an online global community. I encourage everyone here to join our movement to remove the barriers and of course to liberate the amazing potential of people with disabilities and let's never give up on that dream. ¶¶ >> We have the possibility to benefit of this screening and showing of this short but very significant video. And it was a message -- the video message from commitment to action by the youth council of the global partnership on children with disabilities. The UN assistant Secretary-General and deputy executive director of UN women and the chair of the committee of the CRPD. And from Rick Hansen of the Rick Hansen foundation.

Panel Discussion: “Accessible New Urban Agenda and inclusion of persons with disabilities” We have seen the faces of leaders from around the world this morning that will be taking concrete action on the 2030 development agenda and as we move forward with the program today, we will join together to dialogue on three critical issues of the inclusion for persons with disabilities, urban accessibility, invisible disability and the third one, the importance of antiquated data for ensuring the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and our first panel on accessible new urban agenda both reflects on the goals of the 2030 agenda and prepares us for deliberations at habitat. It will take place next October in Ecuador. Habitat III and the processes leading to the adoption of the new urban agenda in 2016 provide an important opportunity for advancing accessibility worldwide And I thank very much the panelists for taking their seats. The division for social policy and development that I lead within the United Nations department of economic and social affairs hosts the focal point on disability and serves also as a secretariat for the conference of the state parties through the convention and the rise of persons with disabilities. And the division seeks to promote effective policymaking and development planning that ensures that persons with disabilities are fully empowered to realize the rights. It is important to have rights but it is important to enjoy the rights and to enjoy rights, what's needed are policies. Social policies and this is what we're attempting to do here. I have to say that we really want the world to understand that it is the lack of attention to the needs of people with disabilities that often makes their situation disabling. Not the differences themselves. With this in mind, I truly am truly pleased and grateful for the work of UN habitat on this issue. We recently had a very important forum held in Nairobi but I would like to turn over to Mrs. Yamina Djacta the role of moderator. I will also ask my -- one of my colleagues, Eric, to brief you on the findings in the Nairobi and much more. Thank you very much. Therefore Yamina, now you have to give the energy. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much, Daniela. Good morning. I am Yamina Djacta, the director of the habitat New York office. It is great pleasure to be with you this morning. In this panel discussion on accessible new urban agenda and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Today, 3 December, we're celebrating this year -- this year's international day of persons with disability by organizing a panel discussion to review policy and practices and how they deal with accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. We look forward to identifying challenges that cities face in making urban development to be more accessible and inclusive. And sharing good practices to explore and present strategic and action-oriented options for operationalizing the 2030 agenda as well as contributions to the habitat 3 and its outcome, the new urban agenda. On 31st October this year, and every year, we celebrate world cities day and the theme this year was about -- it was designed to live together. It couldn't be more fitting to highlight the importance of accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities in cities. Colleagues, friends, we stand at the most critical juncture. At the doorstep of the 23rd sustainable agenda and the formation of indicators for the targets of this the sustainable development goals. And we at UN habitat as well as for urban dwellers worldwide look for tours the habitat 3 conference on housing and urban development which will take place in Quito in October next year. As you may know, at UN habitat, we're developing an integrated framework for planned urbanization. The three-pronged approach. Which is designed to better respond to the challenges and harness the opportunities of cities and human settlements. The housing of the center approach is key to realizing this vision. Innovative housing, innovative transportation, and innovative buildings, programs that make our cities accessible to all are urgently needed. Housing of the center is needed. It will be instrumental for the new urban agenda to meet the growing needs of urbanization in a way that benefits all people including persons with disabilities. The momentum could not be better with the first ever worldwide sustainable development goal to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. And targets to ensure that for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and to upgrade. The panel that I have the honor to moderate now will provide an opportunity for calling actions and stakeholders partnerships among government, the United Nations, urban planning and disability community leaders and professionals, academic institutions, development partners and private sectors to actively involve accessible and disability accessible agenda. We must continue to focus on ensuring that no one indeed is being left behind. It is our hope that this panel discussion will be an opportunity for learning and exchanging experiences and expertise with one another. Toward the ultimate goal of strengthening policies and practices, that respect promotes. The rights of persons with disabilities. We would like to thank the international experts and practitioners who have trouble from different parts of the world to come to New York to share your knowledge and expertise. Thank you for your contributions to advance the global discussion on the right to adequate housing for persons living with disabilities in cities. At UN habitat, we remain committed to promote inclusive cities for all, cities that leave no one behind. Cities that leave the more than one billion persons with disabilities does not leave one more behind. We look forward to continuing this important journey together with you toward ensuring inclusive and sustainable urbanization for all. I now have the pleasure to introduce the panel. But before I do that, I would like to suggest to the panelists and the participants to consider and respond it their discussions to three key questions. The first question being what major challenges exist in current urban policies and practices in terms of ensuring accessibility and inclusion of persons with disability in urban development? The second question is what shall be done and by whom in order to achieve the SDG goal 11 which you know is on cities and human settlements in terms of ensuring inclusive and accessible public spaces, housing and urban transportation for all urban dwellers. And the third and final question is from a perspective of disability, what new urban agenda do we want? Any specific recommendation you would like to propose to UN Habitat III as to how to further advance accessibility and disability inclusion in urban development. In areas such as urban design and planning, standards and regulations, institutional settings, and resources among others. Now I begin this panel by inviting Mr. Eric Zhang to make introductory remarks on advancing accessible and disability development on global policy framework. Mr. Zhang is a senior officer for the right of persons with disability in the department of economic and social affairs. I know that many of you know him. I'm sure. As he has been very active in this issue. So he will also debrief us on the key outcome of the joint initiative meeting of the UN habitat and DESA that took place in Nairobi end of October and share his thoughts on global policy framework to further advance inclusive urban development. Mr. Zhang, you have the floor. >> Thank you very much, moderator. Dear colleagues and panelists and participants, Secretary-General, in his message today, made it very clear. Building a sustainable world for all requires the full engagement of people, all abilities. It seems to me he is actually challenging us in this panel because he recognized the need to strengthen development policy and practices to ensure that accessibility is a part of an inclusive model. DESA as the UN focal point committed itself to advancing inclusive development for all. Recently in October, together with the UN habitat and many other partners, global partners, including in Africa, we organize a forum in Nairobi in conjunction with the world cities day, this is a three-day global concertation among experts from more than 30 countries in five continents. We generated some key findings and recommendations that I'm about to share with you in this panel. Because they are very relevant. A copy of this outcome which is a recommendation on this issue is available in this room and also I think it is near the entrance of this room. You may wish to refer. Our Nairobi forum experts found from a policy perspective, the issue on disability inclusion and accessibility has been fairly captured in the major international norms concerning disability. I mean the convention in particular. Which is now -- what now has a more than 160 states and also European union. As a party. It establishes accessibility as a precondition for people with disability to enjoy all human rights and to participate equally in society in a meaningful manner. The SDGs especially its goal 11 and other targets encourage and reference disability and accessibility in relation to sustainable development. But there is a huge gap existing between the global norms and actual urban policy and practices. We must make change and to translate the international agreements into more concrete specific national and local urban policy and practice so that we can ensure that development to be really inclusive of all people with all ability or disabilities, their needs, their rights and their contribution in urbanization. Now our experts of DESA Nairobi forum found there is lack of accessibility has long been a major challenge in pairing sustainable urban development. In many of our cities. Not all our city planners and developers aware of accessibility, practicing accessible development as we saw. So the real question becomes how to make a change. The upcoming habitat 3 and its outcome could offer a unique opportunity for all of us to fill this gap by further strengthening urban policy based on the SDGs and improving our practices on the ground. Some of the recommendations from Nairobi include one, Habitat III and outcome document. The new urban agenda give for consideration of issues concerning disability inclusion and accessibility in urban development. Number two, CRPD, the convention and SDG. Habitat III show further to operationize agree to commitments by providing more specific and practical guidance on how to further accessibility and inclusion. Specifically, urban policymakers should incorporate accessibility. And promote accessibility as a public good and a smart development as accessibility matters and contributes to sustainable development. Based on a lot of successful experience on all part of the world, our experts in the DESA forum found four common factors are very, very key to the success in terms of promoting accessible inclusive urban development. We need number one disability inclusive and responsive urban policy. Number two, a regulatory structure and standard concerning accessibility. Number three, design for all or universal approach to urban planning and designing. Number four, we need indeed predictable, reliable resource allocation. All of these factors can be realized everywhere even in developing countries. There is a very strong commitment. Last point, very importantly, the Habitat III need consult, engage people with disability and their organizations in a meaningful manner because persons with disability is a major stakeholder group and they are agents and beneficiaries. Contributors of urban development. We are urban dwellers. We're visitor to where users of urban facility and services. Colleagues, as we are now at a critical moment when Habitat III is to discuss and develop a new agenda for the next 20 years. We urgently need to raise our awareness about accessibility among governments and all other stakeholders. I mean urban planners, developers and users. And also general public at-large. As well as private sectors. All of us should appreciate the positive split over effect and add value of accessibility. We should promote accessibility as a good urban policy and practice. Because accessibility contribute to inclusive urban development for everybody. And benefiting everybody. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you very much for your introductory remarks. And for highlighting for us the huge gap indeed that exists between international norms and policies and practices I would like to refer also to the concept which is about accessibility as public good and smart investment. Which is -- it is an important point to make. Thank you for the very important recommendation to the habitat process and the habitat conference to address in order to ensure -- include the urban development for persons with disabilities. Now I have the great pleasure -- talking about recommendations to Habitat III, I have the great pleasure to introduce my colleague, Ms. Ana Moreno, habitat III secretariat. She has degrees from the University of Barcelona. She has many other -- this is highlighting a few of the things she has been doing. The world urban forum. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the forum which is held every two years. Very important eventually which brings all stakeholders as well as covenants to discuss urban issues and make recommendations. And Ms. Ana Moreno will be speaking on opportunities and challenges brought by the habitat III processes leading to a new urban agenda. Ms. Moreno, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Yamina. Good morning Excellencies, distinguished, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor to join you in this year of celebration of the international day of persons with disabilities. Of course, my special thanks to the organizers and DESA for inviting us to this session and for giving us an opportunity to explain the Habitat III process. In fact, our gratitude is about the recommendations that were in Nairobi a month ago. Connected with the cities day and we want to continue partnering with them and all of you. I'm here more to listen to you and to learn. Explain about challenges and opportunities. Things I think we all know quite well what are we talking about and it has been summarized by our colleague. So I would like to be brief and to highlight three ideas about this conference of Habitat III in Quito next year. That are really important for us as secretariat as this process. The first idea, it is about the unique and generational opportunity of this conference. And I know it has been -- by different speakers this morning about the framework of 2030 agenda. Of the goals about the reality, especially in cities of disabilities. We also want to talk about the opportunity of the agenda that will be for Quito, the first opportunity to talk about implementation and action-oriented activities for this new urban agenda. It is the first time that we have these kind of scenario. I will say the political scenario. The first time that urban development is recognized in the center of the political agenda. We have never had it before. Of course, it has different reasons -- of course you know that majority of the population, it is right now living in cities. Of course, you know how important cities in the -- in conclusion policies. But for us, all of us to work together to ensure that the outcome of the Habitat III conference is action-oriented agenda. I want to focus my first idea on that generational opportunities. The second idea is about the paradigm change. How cities have been built among us until now. We have evidence and knowledge about practices. And we also have evident based and knowledge about group practices. So it is about data. It's about expertise. And it is about that knowledge. It is not about decisions that are out of our capacity. And we need to invest this that data and we need to invest in that knowledge. And if we don't do that, unfortunately, we will miss this generational opportunity that was the first idea of my presentation. In fact, allow me -- I'm passionate of cities and quite focused on the Habitat III conference so I cannot be brief in some of the areas but I would like to give one that is a kind of our model in the team. For us, cities have been taking a long time of scenarios. Like if we are not able to model them and we believe that cities is the more complex and great creation of human mind. There are places of generosity and solidarity. It is our decision who are shaping -- which are shaping those cities. So urban design, it is a tool of our minds, our decisions, and our sharing capacities. For that reason, we believe that this habitat conference and especially the Habitat III urban agenda can be the greatest investment in how we build cities. So that is the second idea that we want to highlight. It is about the capacity that we have as citizens to shape our cities. And the rights and responsibilities that we have in the urban spaces. That of course is connected with the first idea. If we don't take advantage of the unique development framework, we will lose years and we will lose a lot of people that will be left behind if we don't take those actions. In fact, it is talking about infrastructures, facilities and services that perpetuate exclusion or we can force the inclusion to all members. It is our decision what we're going to do. The first idea I would like to mention, it is about legacy. This conference of Habitat III and of course, the development framework of the 2030, it is not just especially the conference about organizing five days of discussion. It is about the legacy of that conference. It is a milestone. It is an investment. It's a concept we need to keep going and we need to ensure it is there. And it is not just legacy in terms of data knowledge. It is awareness. And it is about accountable of the politicians at the local, national and regional level. So I think that accountability for us is important. We'll come back to you here, I hope next year, we'll hopefully be invited on the 3rd of December not to talk about the outcome of the conference but to talk about what we are doing already to implement those decisions that we have been taking in the Habitat III conference. My final comment is about the conference. It is about the legacy and the general opportunity and it is about the city as a tool. And it is a place where we can shape. But my last comment will be about how are we going to ensure your recommendations, your expertise, your data, your knowledge, your day to day is brought to the conference and to the process. So I'm inviting you of course to go to our website. We will not go through all of the processes we have put in place but I want to assure you these are recommendations we're taking on in Nairobi. Of course, they would bring -- they will be part of the process and we'll ensure they're there. But there are also different policy unit. 200 experts all over the world. Working on our recommendations on implementation of the urban agenda that we will ensure that they have these recommendations. They will prepare the policy papers before February. And we invite all of you to read them, to send comments, to participate and it is not just -- you know, it is not just -- I hope my passion is there. We need the expertise before the month of April. Next April 2016, it will be submitted by the Habitat III. It is not just about how we negotiate or how members negotiate. It is about which information are we able to bring before that is happening. And if we are not wise enough altogether as stakeholders national government, local authorities to bring it before, then we are losing the opportunity. I know all of us have time constraints. All of us have a lot of things to do. I'm asking you before April, all of the knowledge you have, please prioritize. It is not about 200 pages. It is about what we cannot miss. What are we going to prioritize? What we cannot afford to lose about had these 15 years. We will be altogether pushing for that urban agenda to take place and to be a legacy to follow for a lot of years that I know have been happening for the last 20 years. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you very much, Ana. Indeed your passion shows behind your words. And I know how hard you work and I know you have been engaged in the process. But it is really -- you always have tried to ensure that all views and concerns have been reflected. And thank you for your invitation to all to participate in this process. I just would like to highlight also that indeed this is -- you have pointed out an action-oriented-type of conference following the 2030 agenda. Also for highlighting the role of cities. And the evidence and knowledge that will be brought upon in developing this urban agenda. For highlighting also the contract. And therefore that it is really the cities that shape our cities. We all shape our cities and also the cost of no action. So we are all looking or it. Engagement in the Habitat III process and seeing you in the conference, of course in Quito which if of some you don't know is taking place on the 17-20 of October, 2016. Also the meeting in Indonesia in July 25-27. Thank you again, Ana for your very important and passionate statement. I now have the honor to introduce Mr. Jun Ishikawa. I hope I pronounced your name well. Chairperson of the commission on policy for persons with disabilities in the cabinet office of the government of Japan. In addition to being the chair of disability policy committee, of the government of Japan, Dr. Ishikawa is a developer of assistive technologies for blind users and used to chair a nonprofit organization working for information accessibility for the blind. Mr. Ishikawa will share some good policy practices and existing commitments to inclusivity and accessible cities in Japan. Dr. Ishikawa, you have the floor. >> Thank you madam moderator for your kind introduction. And excuse me for my late coming. I was lost in the bathroom. For your information, I am running for the CFPD committee last year. Ishikawa mentioned, Tokyo hosted the Olympic games for the first time in summer of 1964. Games in 1964 symbolized. After the war. Rapid economic growth. And people's ambitions and hopes for the future. This eventually was a showcase for Japan to demonstrate its social and technological momentum. But one notion that was absent from current views we share was inclusion of diversities. Paralympic games was an additional cost to host the Olympic games. The 1964 Paralympic games was quietly hosted. And did not appear in media. Its impact on society was almost none. In 2020, Tokyo will host its second Olympic and Paralympic games. How times have changed. There are so many people in various sectors of society who feel this is an invariable opportunity to make our cities and make our society inclusive. And open to diversities. Disabilities, language, culture, agenda, et cetera. Today I want to talk about a topic location aware technology for freedom of movement. Freedom of movement requires one to be able to know where one is at any places at minimum condition. In order to achieve it, accurate positional information must be accessible. Highly inclusive digital maps and navigational information must be accessible. Human support system such as accompanying service for the blind and persons with individual disabilities must be well working. It is, needless to say that physical barriers must be removed. Under the conditions, anyone can access almost accurate positional information using the waves from GPS satellites. GPS satellite waves are not receivable inside of buildings and almost useless between high rise buildings causing canyon effect. To solve this problem, big cities like Tokyo must install such local devices as beacons. To provide accurate positional information. These devices must be placed closely enough to each other to ensure all important places must be covered. Now the question is who will or who should install them? Were it to be installed by business or should it be installed by public investment? Maybe both. Location of our technology for freedom of movement also requires highly inclusive digital maps. It is even more challenging than providing accurate positional information in big cities. Usually points of interest information is stored in the digital map as point information. Blind persons want to know the entrance of that POI. However, the point information does not always point to the entrance of each POI. Persons with wheelchair may want to know where the accessibility passage to them is. Instead of the shortest route to the destination. It is rather easy to create an inclusive map and navigational system for a specific area as one-time project. But it is very, very difficult to create, update and sustain a highly inclusive map covering a whole city. Collaboration and integration between (Inaudible) society -- such as open street map, (Inaudible) project, accessible maps provided by global companies. Assistive technology products and government and local government policies such as inclusive, local infrastructure insulation, open data and human accompanying service may achieve it. But persons with disabilities to such a project is an indispensable condition. I talked about one topic among thousands. But it is already very challenging. It's worth challenging and it is very exciting. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you very much, Dr. Ishikawa for sharing with us the good practices, the best practices in -- from Japan on ensuring that cities are included and acceptable. And in particular, myself learned a word today about Paralympic day. I didn't know that. Thank you. Thank you very much. And indeed thank you for talking about how to ensure freedom for movement which as you had mentioned, a minimum condition and have to put to remove the physical barrier but also put ICT at the service of ensuring accessibility and inclusiveness. That's also how -- how you highlighted how it was not so simple. And how we need to look at all aspects to ensure indeed that no one left behind. Finally it requires collaboration among governments, all the stakeholders but also as you highlighted, the participation of persons with disability is indispensable in this process. Again, thank you very much for your very important contribution to this panel. I now have the great pleasure to introduce Mr. Quemuel Arroyo. Mr. Quemuel Arroyo is the panel expert for accessibility and coordinator of the department of transportation. At the department of transportation, Mr. Quemuel oversees accessibility policies for the agency ensuring that all programs and operations are included and accessible to New Yorkers with disabilities. He will be focusing on overcoming challenges in promoting accessible public transportations, experience and lessons learned from the city of New York. Mr. Arroyo, you have the floor. >> Thank you, madam moderator. Thank you Excellencies, colleagues, fellow panelists. I'm honored to be here today on the international day of disabilities representing New York City and the department of transportation. Both Yamina and Ana mentioned that cities are human constructs that means that people create cities. People create policies. And standards to keep cities alive. Today I would like to focus on the human element and the need of inclusive community engagement in public policies. I'll try to be brief if my discourse. First I would like to walk you through what the New York department of transportation focuses on and what our duties are here for New Yorkers. The department of transportation maintains over 12,000 miles of roadways, six tunnels, 18,000 intersections and a ferry with 65,000 daily passengers. It is my job to ensure all of our programs and operations are accessible to all pedestrians. But especially to those with disabilities. With over eight million residents, DOT is committed to ensuring that every New Yorker has the same access to jobs, education, and independence. This includes New Yorkers with disabilities which make up over 10% of our population and a growing number of Asian New Yorkers which make up over 12% of our population here in New York. New Yorkers with disabilities however, access means more than having an opportunity to a good job, education or decent health care. Access means having the ability to travel to that job, school, or health care facility. It means having choices, opportunities, and a chance to connect with the communities on their own terms. From community meetings to planning sessions to design and implementation, we make sure to include the needs of all New Yorkers. But in New York City, we know that understanding the fields of persons with disabilities is not enough. There is a popular saying amongst the disability community. Nothing about us without us. This phrase captures perfectly what I'm trying to say. It is our responsibility as government, policymakers and stakeholders to ensure an active presence and representation of the disability community in our work. As a person with a physical disability, I have a clear understanding of the struggle a physically disabled person faces when navigating the built environment. But in order to fully understand the struggles of other persons with disabilities, and especially those with different disabilities, it is my job to link DOT with a variety of stakeholders who represent varying disability ins a wide array of experiences. Community engagement is an essential component to all of the work we do at DOT gathering input from members of the public on our proposed plans, street design changes, enhances our work and ensures we provide accurate improvement on our streets. That said, ensuring that we reach diverse members of the community especially community members with disabilities can be challenging. In order to ensure we receive input from persons with disabilities, we first established that our own information is available in accessible formats. This means having printed copies of presentations enlarged and color contrasting or even in Braille when we know to expect low vision and/or blind participants. Then comes the hard part. How do we successfully engage with a typically marginalized and hidden group of our society. It is not as easy as creating accessible material. One must activate grassroots community building strategies. At DOT, our mobility management group uses U.S. census data to show heat maps of that shows concentrations of self-identified New Yorkers with disabilities. The team canvases the city for services to the disability community and built a network of over 1700 community-based organizations catering to New Yorkers with disabilities. This is how you engage in the disability community. You first ensure that your programs are accessible then you seek the community and develop relationships, open and create direct lines of communications. These connections deliver a wealth of information far above and beyond what you can imagine. It also creates a sense of ownership and mutual respect and responsibility for the urban environment that we all share. No one at DOT is satisfied with the status quo. But we appreciate how far the city has come and we believe that our goal to make New York City the most accessible city in the world is possible. My role is to ensure that every project designer, city planner, engineer and fiscal analyst has the information they need to pursue that goal. Today, there are well over a billion people in the world living with a disability. We suspect that by the year 2050, nearly 66% of the world's population will be living in urban environments. In order to continue to serve the populations of persons with disabilities, in cities around the world, we must continue to engage them in all that we do. In New York City, we have learned that in order to create a sustainable city, we must design an accessible city. Sustainability, safety and accessibility truly do go hand in hand. And that is one way that we here in New York try to ensure that we are providing for all New Yorkers with disabilities. Understanding the needs are only half the battle. Persons with disabilities must be brought to the table to discuss the needs this their communities. In all communities because the needs of one community might differ completely from a different community. That said, it is the importance of bringing people disabilities to participate in those decisions to hire people with disabilities to employ so that the voice of the community is inclusive throughout all of our policy groups. Throughout all of our urban development and environments and forums like this one. With that, thank you. And it has been an honor to be here. (Applause). >> I now believe we have a video to watch. No? Thank you very much. Thank you for indeed bringing the human element to this discussion. And your point about the need for community engagement. Engagement of the disability community. Also for pointing out that access or providing opportunity is not enough. The access is providing the ability to travel to a job, to work. But also the relationship aspect that you brought for disabled people to be able to have access also and to be -- to connect with their community. And also the important information on how it is also made acceptable but also the information that all of the actors such as planners and all of the engineer, et cetera to have the information that they need. So that they ensure that the city is truly -- New York City is truly accessible and inclusive and lastly, how to engage in a very meaningful way, persons with disability. And ensuring their voices are heard. But also to ensure that they are all accessible. That they get this information. So again, thank you very much for this important contribution. And now I have the great pleasure to introduce professor Eugenie Birch, chair of the world urban campaign and co-director of Penn IUR. This is the University, Penn University. She has been active in the field of city planning, professional organizations and academia in the United States and abroad. She has housed many leadership positions and recently on global urbanization. His most recent work is slums, how informal real estate markets work and it was published in 2015 so quite recently. She is currently president of the general assembly of partners to -- sorry. What did I say? Sorry. Will be published. She is currently president of the general assembly of partners. The civil society engagement platform for Habitat III conference. Professor birch will share her insights on reality stake partnerships. >> Thank you very much for the lovely introduction. Good morning all of you. Multistakeholder engagement. What is it? Let's talk about who the multistakeholders are. They're disabled, vulnerable populations, older populations, youth, women, they're researchers, legislators and public officials, their workforce and private sector folks, foundation leaders and the media. I think I covered that all. I may have missed a few but it is all of us. And what is it that we need to do? We need to find common cause, common cause and develop partnerships to define, support, and implement the legal and institutional frameworks that will underlie the spatial development of inclusive cities that will translate inclusion into the ability of all to live happy, productive and healthy lives. Now what does this mean? How do we translate this into legal and institutional frameworks? It means we need to have a definition and an articulation of the authority as to who is providing these legal and institutional frameworks. We need to have a definition of a disabilities to be covered. We need to have a definition of the types of ways we will cover them whether they will be structural changes or policy changes. We need to have a definition of the responsibilities for the provision and the financing of such accommodations. We need to have a definition of how and when to provide them. Are we upgrading existing situations? How are we doing with new construction? What is the timing of this? When do we make sure they happen? How do we implement that and enforce it? We need to create the administrative structures for providing the services and the accommodations. We've heard one example here of New York City and what it is doing. We need to have very good examples of good practices and research to insert into this legal and institutional framework of which you've heard many examples in this discussion today. At the global level for urban development, we have the global framework, the international guidelines for urban development. Recently passed by the governing consul of habitat agency which provides explicit principles, strategic guides and physical maps for land, housing development, transport and public space. Disaster protection. And the reduction of environmental impacts when we're thinking about how we provide the accommodations for disabled on this international day of persons with disabilities. We need to have national and local laws. When I said we need to define the frameworks and the responsibilities, the administrative spheres, all of this is very much dependent upon the local context of how the activities will be legislated. Let me give you an example of the United States and also let me give you an example of how long it has taken our country to even recognize the importance of this particular area. Are you here in New York City which was an earlier recognizer of this. New York City recognized this need to protect people with disabilities in local laws on human rights in 1945. And both the state and the city passed those laws which have amended over time but are part of the enforcement provision for what we're talking about here today. At the national level, however, it took us a much longer time to even recognize that persons with disabilities should be accommodated. And we did that under a number of pieces of legislation again taking many years to be detailed and carried out. In 1973, we passed a civil rights act that recognized persons with disabilities. In 1968, we passed a law to provide for fair housing that prevents discrimination against all people with disabilities. But it was not until 1990 that we had the Americans with disabilities act which gave specific provisions in this arena. The reason I'm giving you this history is to show you how long it takes to even bring these kinds of conversations into a national level of enforcement and development in the legislative and institutional frameworks that it will take to make the provisions we need to do. We don't have to wait this long for the future and hopefully in the new urban agenda particularly through the enforcement of the sustainable development goals. We'll be able to leap frog some of this and learn from what other places have done. It is not perfect but there are many things to learn from as we've heard from Japan and New York City and so forth. Let me give you an example of some of the things that are happening in New York City with regard to housing and other areas. For example, in housing, there are several pieces of legislation that basically provide for the accommodations. These are the structural policy accommodations. Those have to do with the national laws that I just mentioned as well as the local laws that I also mentioned. And these prevent landlords or realtors from discriminating people -- against people with a disability. But also mandate accommodations must be made so that all can live in their housing in a way that will allow them to gain the privileges and have the rights of adequate housing. Now they're very detailed pieces of legislation that provide for when and who and how these provisions must be given but these are written into the law and this is where this multiparty stakeholders are really important. The consultation that we need to make sure that these laws are right. The political action we need to advocate for the laws to make sure that they are written. And then finally, the watchman-like advocacy and guardianship of the laws that we need to pass in order to make sure that they're implemented properly. In New York City, the construction codes take care of specific definitions down to the inches and spaces and roots of accommodations that are specified in new construction. I think we'll hear from one of our other speakers about universal design so I won't get into the details of this. We need to have the agencies at the national, local level that will make sure that these kinds of laws are enforced. So we have civil rights commissions at the national level. We have local level. Mayor's office for people with disabilities. The agencies. We have the office such as my friend over here, Mr. Arroyo has told you about. The point is we need to have a very rich, detailed, structured, legal and institutional framework to make our cities inclusive for all. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you very much, professor Birch for your oh so very structured and complex presentation. What I take from it is of course as you said, you highlighted the fact that disabled people are everywhere. It is all of us. Not just one group isolated. And also that the importance to find the common cause and the importance of partnership in this process. And also you spoke about the need to have a legal and institutional framework and also of course the need to be able to enforce that once is implemented as well. Thank you for highlighting what needs to be done at different levels. Urban development which have been passed indeed. Last April. And also for the fact that we need indeed laws, national as well as the local level in taking the example of New York City, how long it took actually to ensure that all of these aspects are in place. Also what needs to be done not only to have the right load to implement them but also to be able to make -- to ensure that actually this has done the accountability aspect, the involvement of the civil society in this process as well. I would like to say that indeed, the rate of urbanization which is increasing and especially that it will be taking place in other, perhaps less urbanized regions that 90% of future urban development will actually take and double up in countries. That offers a great opportunity to do it right from the very beginning. Because again, if I may take a second to give you my personal experience. I live in a building that was built here in New York City in 1962. When I moved in, there was no access for persons with disability. And we had these funny stairs you have to go up before you can reach even the elevator. And they had to not recently but a couple of years ago because of the law, they had to build a chair so that the person with disability can put her chair on. But I can say it is not perfect, huh? It is not very easy. I know planners if my building who do not want to use it because it is not very accessible. Just to highlight that actually old buildings and developed countries, retrofitting is very expensive and sometimes not as perfect. But new urban development, especially the one, 90% of it will be in countries, it is important to get it right from the beginning. It is important to continue highlighting this and making sure that in these elements are in place in policies and practices and also to ensure that they are implemented and enforced, et cetera. Thank you again very much for these very significant contributions. Now I have the great pleasure to introduce Dr. Victor Pineda. I understand he's not with us physically but he will -- he did send us a recorded message which I believe will be displayed in a moment. I just would like to say that Dr. Victor Pineda which I had the pleasure to meet in person last time, when we had such a discussion, very impressive expert I must say. On inclusive and sustainable urban development. He's an appointed access board of the U.S.A. and an instructor at the University of California at Berkeley. Now we have the great pleasure to watch the video. >> The framework really is based on five evaluative criteria. The first of which is understanding there's no local laws or congruent through the international norms Instead of laws at the national level and local level, that really support disability rights. Let's say for the purposes of this work, urban development. Disability standards, mobility transportations, all of the things that deal with urban development. Are they ingrained in the law. The second development criteria really focuses on understanding whether the executive -- the governor for the local territory or municipality or local state, whether they're really signaling disability rights. Follow it up with budgetary allocations. That's the second. Budgetary support. Third area is important. That's really the institution. Now there could be a law and it could be leadership. But at the local institutions, how engaged in coordinating the disability policy across sectors and is there administrative capacity to actually carry out this work? Because in a sense, you are informing -- identify for laws. You need to coordinate with stakeholders so the third is administrative in coordinating capacity. The fourth area is critical. Quite frankly, most underlooked. Which is that we have to understand that people may not understand disability rights. They may not get those ideas. The fourth is measuring public attitudes toward people with disabilities. By the general population. So people they say but why do we need to make the street accessible if there are no disabled people on the streets? Maybe there are no disabled people on the streets because the streets aren't accessible! So understanding those ingrained beliefs and attitudes become very important. And finally and most importantly is the participation of a targeted group. Engage in urban development. In urban planning. Are they helping toward forums and master planning for the city. Together the criteria helps to inform policy framework and how countries implement disabilities, rights, training on the local level. And empower local advocates and researchers and it empowers local government officials to make meaningful, sustainable and lasting change. Thank you. (Applause). >> I don't think Dr. Pineda can hear me but I'm sure that you will join me to thank him for his very important contribution. And he highlighted in a very concise way for us how this should happen at all levels. For example, he spoke about how to -- translate or to ensure that local loads are congruent with the national norms but also the role of the executive and the governor in ensuring or like he said, really signaling disability rights, the importance of budget allocation, administrative capacity and also the measuring public attitude. Making sure that people understand the issues, concerns, and are really fully knowledgeable about the concerns and needs of people with disability. Also the participation of people with disability to inform policy and participation. So again, thank you very much Dr. Pineda. As I said, I had the great pleasure to meet him in person last time. He's a very, very impressive speaker. And definitely visibility is not an obstacle for him. He is truly inspirational. I now have the great pleasure to introduce -- let me get this right -- miss Venus Illagan who is the Secretary-General of rehabilitation international. Which is -- the initials are RI. She's RI's ninth Secretary-General and the first person with a disability to ever occupy that post. Prior to joining RI, she was the immediate past chairperson and first female chair. So miss Illagan, you have the floor. >> Thank you very much. Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this panel today. I bring to you warm greetings from my organization, rehabilitation international. As a person with a disability who loves to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible, just like everyone else, access for me is something indispensable or even something I can't live without. But having been born and raised in a country where accessibility has been quite a challenge, I had always thought how beautiful the world would have been if people realized that everyone has equal right to the environment, the need to be sensitive to include others. Countless times, I thought that being a wheelchair user has limited my options and the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from activities which many others just take for granted. Then came the realization that with disability being a social construct, so are the barriers that limit movement and the opportunity for the enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities. Over the years, the struggles for equal rights to opportunities in the context of persons with disabilities has continued until the adoption and subsequent ratification of the convention and rights of persons with disabilities nine years ago. Following ratification by an unprecedented number of countries, we started to see more political will to address our long-standing issues on the challenges we face in accessing and being included in the lives of our communities. Access has been and continues to be central. And an important determinant on the extent with which we -- persons with disabilities, can enjoy our rights on equal basis with others. In the many years that I and my colleagues in the disability community have been involved in the advocacy work for disability rights, we have realized that we do not always achieve our goals using what may be considered as the conventional way of doing things. We have to be open in employing or adopting new strategies to achieve our shared ends. That includes -- that strategy applies to realizing the goal for inclusion of persons with disabilities. But it is worthwhile to note that even with the convention in place, it has never been easy to ask authorities, mayors or executives of towns and cities to invest often limited resources for purposes of providing access to persons with disabilities. In contrast, talking about the potentials of access in the context of travel, leisure and recreation has proved to be a lot more attractive to executives or everyone working in government for that matter. Asking chief executives of cities to invest in building access features for persons with disabilities is not readily welcome or appreciated. To put it simply, this is often a hard sell. In contrast, when we speak about accessible to -- there is often so much interest and enthusiasm, it is a more welcome topic for discussion. Chief executive often speak proudly on how many tourists have visited their countries. How the revenue is derived from this industry as provided jobs to the local population. Their government's intent to invest more resources to bring in more and their interest to continue exploring possibilities to include tourists who require accessibility, recognizing that this is a growing market. That has the potential to bring in more revenues or even promising a handsome return of investment. That observation has led to the recognition of the potential of inclusive and accessible in realizing the goal of inclusion and access for persons with disabilities. Afterall, accessible tourism addresses the creation of universally designed environments that can support people who may have temporary disabilities, family with young children. Children or ever increasing number of the aging population just to name a few. As many of you may agree inclusive, the reason brings together everyone who needs to be involved in creating accessible environments. These include policymakers, designers and builder, industry professionals, tourists and travel enthusiasts. They all become stakeholders in a collaboration to produce the best possible product. An environment for all. Cities for all. It goes without saying that there is synergy that results from the work to create inclusive and accessible environments using universal design. A transformation in attitude and in the realization that even the most reluctant of travelers with mobility limitations can enjoy recreation and travel activities if due consideration is given by the industry for access and inclusion at every step of the way because travelers with disabilities know exactly how they must -- what is being offered in terms of services and facilities. Through personal experience and resources. Afterall, isn't it the persons with disabilities are the experts of their own situation? They definitely can help find solutions to their access challenge. So this way, they can contribute to breaking the barriers. That's a win-win for all. People working in this field say that the main goal of inclusive tourism was the means to address visibility needs is to accommodate the broadest range of people without stigma or the need for special accommodation. It equalizes opportunities to all. It eliminates the need to make a distinction of whether one type of tourists or travelers have different needs and requirements from the others. Inclusive tourism is an example of realization of human rights. In my view, as a person with a disability, the pursuit of accessible tourism opens opportunities in realizing the goal of building inclusive and accessible cities. And it opens possibilities of addressing the access needs of one billion persons with disabilities. An enormous number of people who cannot be excluded and must not be excluded. In addition, there is the rapid aging of the world's population, the needs of persons with disabilities and elderly people are -- the environment is basically the same. A need that cannot be ignored. One that needs to be addressed. Now. What does this say to us? The message is simple. In order to realize the goal of access and inclusion, there is the need to approach project from the outset using universal design where we design our facilities to include the maximum number of people who can enjoy or benefit from them. As one travel writer has aptly indicated, rather than just put one special table at the picnic side adapted for a wheelchair, let's make good investment of our limited resources by ensuring that all tables in the picnic side are designed to allow wheelchairs to roll under one end of the tables. It doesn't have to be difficult or a difficult journey It only involves taking a different approach. Good, fair, responsible behavior should be presented not as a niche but as the norm. Having said that, let me end my presentation by saying that accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable development policy. It has bought a human rights imperative and a business opportunity that can't be missed and should not be missed if we are to realize the goal of building inclusive and accessible cities. It goes without saying that access does not only benefit persons with disabilities. Or those with special needs. It benefits us all. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you for the sustainable tourism and the importance of universal design -- indeed, as you have highlighted accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable development policy. Thank you for highlighting how this is really about benefits to all. Leaving no one behind. We need to ensure accessibility to all including persons with disabilities. Again. Thank you very much. Our last speaker, last but not least is Ms. LoriAnn Girvan. Ms. LoriAnn Girvan has 25 years of experience in housing, community development, post-disaster and conflict rebuilding and nonprofit management. She has dedicated her career to promoting the empowerment and inclusion of marginalized people in diverse context ranging from remote rural communities in Africa to urban neighborhoods and their growing change in the Americas. Ms. LoriAnn Girvan. You have the floor. >> Thank you. I want to thank everybody for inviting GAATES to be here. I'm still the quite new executive director of the global alliance on accessible technologies. GAATES mission working to advance accessibility through universal design of the sustainable built social and virtual environments. What does this mean for who we are and what we do? We're persons with disabilities and allies. We represent a diversity of sectors, social enterprises for profits and committee organizations. But we are at our heart a network of practitioners, architects, policy advisers, web designers, transportation specialists, media, basically the same list that professor Birch spoke to. We're particularly honored and excited to sponsor this year's event because our reason for being as an organization is not only to make the case that inclusion matters but to equip people with the skills and practices to make inclusion happen. Some of the ways we're doing this are by providing technical expertise to provide universal design and it might be in the smallest context such as a pocket park but all the way to thinking about cities. We're developing tools and guidelines and we're building capacity and exchange amongst our global membership. Our global accessibility news reaches 25,000 people and really the pulse point of the organization are our volunteer country representatives, 40 who are primarily in the global south. Most recently, some of the work we're doing related to the theme today. We have highlighted an accessible platform to train professionals, architects in accessibility of public spaces. Our hope is to merge this learning approach with an opportunity to validate accessibility expertise. We're also working actively in the area of disability inclusive disaster risk reduction and I think we often focus on our large cities, the New Yorks of the world but in northern Canada, our cities and towns such as white horse Yukon, we're working with them to make sure in the event of disaster, people with disabilities are included. One of the most exciting aspects of that program is we're working with school children on a program, no friend left behind. We are today increasingly recognizing that solving problems and getting to scale on social change requires us to apply approaches such as system planning and design thinking. And as you saw from my biography, I'm not a specialist in accessibility and universal design. I do come to this work as a builder of affordable housing and as a community development specialist. I've learned both the positive way and the hard way that planning for inclusion is so important and if we stick to business as usual, we'll have terrible consequences including deadly ones. So we must increasingly be thinking about how to work across sectors and we actively work in the areas of transportation, information and communications technology, the environment, but we, too, are moving to bring our expertise together to solve problems and have a different type of impact. We are looking at place making that supports accessible and inclusive cities and destinations and we are thinking more about system level work including through our disability inclusive disaster risk production work. The themes of today's event point to a framework of how we must approach making cities inclusive and accessible. We need to continue to be right spaced. Through the convention and other legislation in our countries, we have laid the ground work for inclusion of persons are disabilities and those most at the margins of our cities by shifting policies and attitudes from a medical model over the years to a very sound human rights vision but there is, of course, more to do. As I've already noted, we must continue to be systems base in the our vision and practice. I think both Victor, we also claim as our own on the board of GAATES and professor Birch really outlined some of the thinking we need to do around the enabling environment so we can work in a systems way. We must be evidence based. 1.3 persons with disabilities is a compelling reminder of the impact our work can have. Sometimes there is a detrimental effect to what I call big numbers data. We can sometimes get so caught up in the scale and scope of a problem that we aren't able to break it down into action and we've heard a lot today about the importance of implementation. So we must continue to challenge ourselves around being evidence based. Inclusion is not the median. We can get maximum benefit through universal design but we must also think of people most at the margins. If we're really going to choose an inclusive city. Last but not least, we must really continue to challenge ourselves to be humanity-based. If we are to achieve SDG goal 11. I think number of our colleagues have spoken to this needing to be a human centered approach. We're still building our cities using approval and planning purchases. We're valuing big ticket projects over the basics right. I've been struck in my own work in housing that we can spend millions of dollars for a phenomenal engineering, construction feat and tunnels and all kinds of things but then we as developers, I would include my nonprofitteers plead hardship when a tenant when a needs a disability improvement. We focus on narrow infrastructure like roads and bridges but not on broader interaction. I think I would like to challenge us to rethink of what infrastructure is. We need an infrastructure of people. Housing, community facilities, parks, even our virtual communities that are so vital to breaking down isolation and connecting people for change. We can transact billions of dollars of stock exchanges in milliseconds. That's happening right down the street here. But yet we continue to fail to meet the economic needs and basic information accessibility of persons with disabilities. So clearly, as other speakers have pointed out, we know what we need to do. We need to have the will and systems put in place to do it. We've succeeded also -- and appreciate your comments in getting by into the business case. Four things like accessible tourism. In my field, around energy savings and the importance of climate change. Of course, over the pond in Paris, our peers are discussing carbon taxes and energy savings performance agreements and emissions regulations. We need to not lose sight of the business case to improve lives equally alongside things like energy savings and revenues for the government coffers. There are policies and investment tools in these fields, particularly within the context of sustainability and energy That are exciting opportunities and should be connected to ensuring inclusive cities. All over North America, there are building retrofits happening. Lastly, we're settling for the input of the few rather than the imagination and engagement of the many. And I'm so heartened as a former New Yorker to hear about the commitment to engagement that the department of transportation is making and I also want to commend you on recognizing the importance of getting the basics right. Getting our information and accessible formats really understanding who we're serving. And then using that as a platform to engaging people. It is my hope that GAATES alongside everybody here today can be part of a better world and part of a new urban agenda. Where persons with disabilities help drive the vision of making cities sustainable and inclusive. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you, Ms. Girvan. I think that you have already summarized all what has been said. Thank you for introducing the post-conflict and disaster situation -- post-disaster situation. Because it is very linked in the 2030 agenda actually. There is a link -- a strong link between development and disaster conflict security. I think it is important you brought that element into this discussion. I think we've run out of time. We wish to have time for questions and answers unless you have a very burning question. I think we really -- Daniela, you have the floor. >> It is not a burning question but it is a burning thank you. Thank you for the morning. What I've heard. By listening to your words, I think you have given us even more motivation in the division of social policy and development. I want to thank the team in my division that has organized this day, namely the chief of the section of disability that serves also the convention of CRPD, Mrs. Akiko Ito. I don't pronounce your name, Eric because I always make a mess. I would like to thank also the interpreters. Because we often speak very, very fast. And for the interpreters of the sign language, we really make their work extremely tough. So I thank them very much. I would like also to thank Venus. But talking about tourism. You gave us a very specific example of what kind of actions can be taken. How real -- what real mainstreaming means. And it is something universal. What you brought to the table. Tourism for everybody. And it also changes the mindsets of people so attitude, et cetera. And of course, as a former broadcaster on this very specific topic, for years, I found it very freeing. That's what I try to bring back to the United Nations and indeed we already had a capital -- on this very specific topic, organize one for the Asian Pacific region in Hawaii. And then another one together with stronger collaboration of the Dominican Republic for the Latin America and the Caribbean region. And I think that what you brought to the table should be really considered as something that gives enthusiasm to everybody. Okay. This was my burning thank you. (Applause). >> This session is closed.

Panel Discussion: “Invisible Disabilities” >> The convention on rights for persons with disabilities which was adopted in 2006 refers to mental, physical and intellectual disabilities. They're definitely included in the convention which is a legally binding tool for those countries that ratified it. At the moment, we have 160 countries who have signed and ratified the convention. 160 who have ratified. We have more that have signed it and have not ratified it. Disability is now included in the five goals of the SDGs which was adopted in September. Mental health and well-being for the first time included in 2030 agenda and the SDGs. This gives us an unprecedented opportunities and mandates to all of the member states, United Nations entities, CSOs and all of the other governmental developments stakeholders to realize universal access and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities and persons with mental or psychological disabilities. Today we have a distinguished world leaders on mental health, well-being and disability that have gotten together in the international day for persons with disabilities. First I would like to thank the primary of Argentina for supporting this panel which brings light to this much ostracized but crucially important area of priority. The panel discussion is co-organized by the United Nations University, UNU. The United Nations secretaries of the conventions of rights of persons with disabilities, the University of Tokyo and the Nippon foundation. First I would like to welcome Mr. Mateo esteem one of the wonderful global leaders in this area. The floor is yours please. >> Thank you, ambassador Gallegos. I'm pleased and honored to participate in this panel. It he outset, I would like to thank you for your words and introducing me but also I would like to echo your words and commend the role that Ecuador plays in the agenda of disabilities here at the United Nations. And I can say that you have been a leader on this issue these years and really the actions that you did during the administration of the 2030 development agenda are something to be commended. I'm here as representatives of Argentina. As one country that has strong commitment to this issue and has been involved on this issues in order to move it forward. I'm also here as a parent. I would like to explain why I said that I'm here as a parent. I am the father of a wonderful boy, Mateo, who ten years ago, had been diagnosed with autism with pervasive development disorder within the autistic spectrum. So for me, it is not only a matter of professional commitment to be here to represent my country and to participate in this panel and to say a few words. But also a personal commitment to the issue of disabilities. And the importance that we attached to this issue in promoting the agenda here at the United Nations. I would like to comment -- to limit my comments to very few aspects on the 2030 development agenda. I know that you had a very long session in the morning as ambassador Gallegos mentioned. Many people mentioned -- and recall the importance of the document that we adopted 60 days ago. This document precisely speaks about many of the present issues in the international agenda but one of the issues that I believe that we collectively made an effort to remedy the mistakes of the past was to bring out the issue of invisibility. When we -- the MDGs were put forward by the United Nations, the question of disabilities was not included. That's why when we negotiated the convention -- sorry, the 2030 development agenda, we wanted to make sure that disabilities was included into the agenda and also that was mainstreamed. I believe we did a good work in that regard. But it is not only member states -- we're part of that equation. I would like to say here quite clearly and loud the role of civil society in this process. The role was key when we negotiated the agenda, disabilities -- one of the issues that during the different rounds was one issue that was highlighted by many of the members but also with a strong support from civil society. That's why we made a difference in that regard. And so I would like to place on record our thanks and our obsession for the efforts that civil society did during the whole process. You know what is in the 2030 development agenda. I believe the Secretary-General already mentioned that when he opened this event early this morning. And we know that there are different questions mentioned in the 17 goals of the agenda. In particular guaranteeing equal and accessible education, promoted inclusive economic growth. Reducing equality. Making cities more inclusive. And collecting desegregated data. Some of them have already been addressed so I'm not going to go into detail but these are some of the dimensions in which the issue of disabilities is reflected into the agenda. Of course we have human rights instruments and in particular, we have the convention that is for us, very helpfully instrumenting when we undertook the negotiations of the 2030 agenda. The convention on the rights of persons with disabilities is for countries like my country is one of the best instruments to fight for the rights of people with disabilities. Not only at the local level, regional, national level but also at the international level. So we have to promote further ratifications of the convention and to work toward universalization of the convention. This is an aim that we have to have in mind and bring to the fore, in every discussion we have here on the issue of disabilities. Today we are speaking about invisible disabilities. This is something that I believe that we have to reflect upon. What are these invisible disabilities? And what -- are the means for us to better -- act on this invisible disabilities at the international level. Of course, invisible disabilities is not included as a conflict in the 2030 development agenda. And we have to reflect on the issue and the (Inaudible) of invisible disabilities because it we believe that the aim is to achieve the full rights by all persons with disabilities throughout the world, what we have to do first is to define -- to identifying who are these persons? And we have to collect high-quality accessible, timely, reliable and desegregated data on this. But of course, the first step is to get a definition on what precisely is invisible disabilities? I spoke at the beginning that I'm a father also. And as a father, I know that when you have to fight for the rights of your kids, the definition of the certain disabilities or special needs should be included into the national laws in order to get appropriate services for -- in order to include in the educational system into the health system, those persons that are affected by these issues. So invisible disabilities usually mean invisible vulnerabilities. And people tend to ignore those specific disabilities that they cannot see. In fact, people often judge others by how they look, concluding that someone can or cannot do something just based on what they perceive. Therefore noted to establish this disability specific indicator, sensitive to all types of disabilities and in order to focus and address the gaps, the first gap is to advance a discussion on what we understand for these kind of disabilities. And how it interrelates with the idea of promoting mental health and well-being as included in the 2030 agenda. The follow-up on full implementation of the sustainability development goals should stick to also the existence of invisible disabilities with a view to promote all persons with a disability, their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. The member states of the United Nations, the agencies, society, should be ready to work together in order to create structured conditions that do not hinder the enjoyment of the rights of persons with invisible disabilities respecting their inherent dignity independence and individual (Inaudible). We committed ourselves to leave no one behind. This is the challenge that we have. And I believe that this is a very good opportunity to discuss international level, this important dimension of disabilities agenda. I hope we have a fruitful discussion. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Akiko. I hope we can further exchange views on this issue. Thank you. (Applause). >> I would like to thank the ambassador for his personal comments on this issue. We are dealing with a subject matter that has not been really assumed as an international discussion which is invisible disabilities. Visible disability was defined as anything you can identify. But invisible disability is also a plethora of intellectual disabilities which in many cases, society do not know how to deal with adequately. I don't think societies or individuals know how to deal with it adequately. Now I will invite Ms. Akiko Ito, chief of the secretariat of the rights of persons with disabilities, department of economic and social affairs for her opening remarks on behalf of the organization. Akiko, the floor is yours. >> It is a great honor to follow footsteps of two extraordinary ambassadors who are deeply committed to the issue of disability as well as showing us a vision for the next steps and thank you very much. I would also like to thank our co-organizers. The University of Tokyo. And the Nippon foundation. I would also like to express my great appreciation for other panelists, my colleague, Patricio. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to Ms. Katherine Goetzke, founder of iFred. I would like to say a few words. We have experiences and expertise in this field. From the United Nations perspective, persons with disabilities include all persons with disabilities and as has been already discussed this morning, persons with disabilities when we talk about disabilities includes mental disabilities, mental well-being and mental health. In this context, we have a number of general assembly resolutions. As you recall, 2030 development agenda also makes references to this invisible issue. What used to be invisible issues. But now we are trying to bring much more light to this issue and to make it central issue in the context of development, disability so that we can finally really be true to the goal of our new agenda. No one -- leaving no one behind. We actually did a number of collaborations with our colleagues, with the University of Tokyo to give steps to how UN can move forward with all -- it is a richness of expertise experiences and the world-class academics who are with us doing this -- who are at this international -- on this international day. We are so pleased to also to mention that we are in the middle of also trying to see how best we can be useful to build new network and strengthen network with our policymakers, our experts, our colleagues from disabled persons who can also join forces in this issue. Who have never perhaps dealt with this issue in the past. But that I think it is very important that we now face new challenge over -- of implementing this new global agenda. And we need all expertise, we need all backgrounds, different backgrounds to be able to make concrete progress. So I would just like to leave it as this and turn it over to ambassador Gallegos. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Akiko. I think I join Mateo in congratulating you for the work your office does on behalf of disability. Due to the time constraints, I'm going to ask panelists to limit their presentations within five minutes. First of all, I have on my list, a good friend, professor Takashi Izutsu. The floor is yours. >> Thank you very much, ambassador Gallegos. It is a great honor for me to work with you especially where you chair that committee which created the convention on the rights of invisible disabilities. As a co-organizer, I would like to thank the ambassador for your continued support and leadership and the secretariat of this event, especially Akiko and all of the colleagues and participants for making this important event possible. Thank you very much. Today I would like to briefly share the current global situation providing mental health, well-being and disability. Slide please? I would like to start with the annual number of deaths. According to -- people die. This is equivalent to the number of deaths due to war and -- combined. We have the security council and PKO for war and police and system for (Inaudible). However many countries face extremely limited resources to respond to suicide and other mental health conditions. Next please. The WHO states that suicide is the third cause of suicide and among addressing growth, suicide is the leading cause of death. In developing countries, 80% of persons with severe mental illness do not receive appropriate treatment. Though there are misunderstandings that that mental health is not related to death, persons with severe mental illness die 20 years earlier. The study shows that depression is the leading cause of disability in years lived with disability indicator. And economic cost is huge. Direct and indirect cost of unit exceeds 4% of GDP. Next please. You a despite these facts, situation around mental health and disability has been quite challenging. For example, the budget allocation for mental health, the national health budget has been quite low. Among low income countries, only 0.5% of the health budget is spent for mental health. Next please. Human resources for mental health and disability has been also extremely limited. WHO says about 40 countries do not have any psychiatrists. Mental health, well-being and disability have long been ostracized in the international community despite its huge impact on our life. It is drastically changing to see 2015 since mental health and disability are included in the sustainability development goals SDGs. This is a big achievement accomplished by persistent and strong efforts by member states, UN systems, CSOs, academia and many people including persons with disabilities and their families worldwide. Next please. >> Mental health and well-being is included in goal three of the SDG which is all in good health. Among nine health targets, target 3.4 is on reducing mortality from noncommunicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being. In addition, prevention and treatment of substance abuse is included in the target 3.5 and disabilities included in the SDGs. In addition to the SDGs this year, mental health and disability were integrated into another important global framework. The framework which is 2015 to 2030 adopted that the world conference on disaster risk reduction includes provision of psychosocial support and mental health services for all people in need as part of a priority. It is a critical important area at the global level. And various stakeholders are now getting together for action to realize mental well-being and inclusion for all. There are useful tools and guidelines developed by the UN system which can be utilized in this effort and all of them are available through Internet. >> Finally, mental health, well-being and disability became a global priority. I hope we can continue our collaboration hand in hand to achieve our common goal of well-being, accessibility and inclusion. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you very much, professor, for your comments. I think that the presentation was a very illustrating one on how and what is happening in the world on this. My next speaker is Dr. Atsuro Tsutsumi from the United Nations University which is a think tank of the UN. Dr. Tsutsumi has organized a key UN experts group meeting on the issue which enormously contributed to the inclusion of mental health and disability in the 2030 agenda. The floor is yours. >> Thank you very much. It is a great honor for me to join this important discussion. And I would like to thank all of the stakeholders who made this happen. Today I would like to briefly talk about new publication or mental health, well-being and disability which we develop by the foundation for this new era of mental health disability integrated in 2030 agenda and SDGs. Next slide, please. The title of the publication is mental health, well-being and disability. This is an outcome or joint effort by UNU, UN, WHO and the University of Tokyo. It is unprecedented that all of these entities got together for mental health and disability and I would like to thank all of those who contributed to this effort. This publication aims at providing an overview of the history of mental health and disability in the UN. And listing key resolution of the UN general assembly and the economic and the social council and the guidelines related to this issue. We develop this publication in order to provide a key reference for future efforts to realize mental health and mental well-being and inclusion of persons with mental, intellectual or psychosocial disabilities. This publication is already on the website of the UNU and available in both text and the PDF files. It will be uploaded on the UN website soon. Next slide, please. Today I would like to introduce a key message from this publication. First is utilizing a UN offshore document system, we employed a comprehensive document searcher the UN resolutions which refer to mental health and disability. I would like to summarize the outcome of the search from 1994 to 2015. 370 resolutions. The resolutions, one-third has issues on children and women. In addition, resolutions of human rights comprise a large part of the resolutions. Several resolutions included a concept relate to the mental health and disability among the resolutions as well as in the economic and the social council. This shows that though we tend to assume mental health and disability have been marginalized in the international discourse, and that is true. We also have a lot of foundations to realize the mental health for all and inclusion of persons with mental intellectual or psychosocial disabilities in terms of the UN resolutions. Next slide, please. As for the UN conventions which refer to mental health and disability, ten conventions and eight options include concepts related to mental health and disability. For example, I see -- (Inaudible) mentions a specific mention to the lights to mental health. The CRC erupted in 1989 have also included paragraphs on mental health and disability. The CRPD in 2006 includes persons with physical, mental, intellectual and sensory implements. Conventions are of great importance since they are legally binding among those states through large part. Next slide, please. Regarding the key outcomes for the measure UN, measure UN global conferences, many outcome documents have already included mental health and disability such as ICPD program for action and the Beijing platform for action of the conference for women. As we have mentioned, the UN sustainable development summit and the conference of disaster reduction erupted the SDGs and the framework respective with including mental health disability it their key priorities. Upon this achievement, three international community now needs to collaborate to realize mental health and the well-being. Mental health and the well-being and to promote the likes of the persons with mental, intellectual or psychosocial disabilities at all levels. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> Thank you very much. Professor, just on a personal reference, I was a member of the expert committee of the convention on the rights against torture. For almost seven years. And in the meetings of the convention against torture, many of the issues have to deal with mental health. And the lack of understanding and knowledge and the internment of individuals. And just to reference point which I would like to emphasize, if you commit a crime in a prison system, you go to jail. You spend the years you were sentenced to and then you are free. But if you are interned in a psychological institution, in many cases, it is for life because there is no reprieve of the situation which amounts to treatment. I just want to make an important point of reference. I would like to move on to the next presentation of Dr. Mark van Ommeren from WHO. He could not physically attend this discussion but kindly prepared a preordered presentation. Could you play the slides, please? >> Thank you for the organizers to giving time to discuss social disabilities. This is an extremely important topic and it has much momentum. When we think of people with psychosocial disabilities, we need to think of one word... Protection. People with these conditions deserve and often require protection. Both in the community and in the institutions. On the left you see a photo of a person taking care of -- in Darfur. The person was abandoned underneath a tree. On the right side, you see a photo of what remains of the mental hospital when war broke out, staff left. Fighting happened in and around the hospital. Some of the patients were kidnapped. Horrible things happened to people with psychosocial disabilities. War and disaster. People with these conditions are extremely vulnerable in emergencies. There are always often many people with severe mental disorders or psychosocial disabilities that are vulnerable. In emergencies, they do increase. The breakdown of the social system. Medicines may no longer be available. If people had some family support, family support may not be there the same way. People may be abandoned. People may be shocked by security forces when they do not understand the instructions. We need to make sure protection and care for people. With these conditions. Integrated into disability services. In health services. Social services. And education services Is there evidence of caring for people with psychosocial disabilities? Yes, there is. There's much evidence. Do we have policies and tools to help people in emergency settings? Yes, we do. We have numerous tools. And we have policy including policy by the interagency standing committee which is the UN, red cross Oregon responsible for policy people and humanitarian settings. We know what to do. We have the avenues for it. Are there agencies helping people with psychosocial disabilities in emergencies? Not enough. But this is changing. We've seen in recent years a steep increase in number of agencies and number of programs working on care for severe mentally ill in emergencies. We've seen an increase in programming by many agencies, my own organization, WHO, the international ICRC, international medical corps, ACS, save the children, and others. There is momentum. Do we have all of the answers and do we know everything? Not at all. We need to learn how to make it much wider protection. We're learning. Some things are going well. Some things are not going well enough. There is much more to learn. We need to know much better and how to ensure both quality and large coverage in programs. We need to know how to supervise. People who have been trained in giving care. We know how to supervise but not at -- (Inaudible). We need to make sure medicines are available for those who want and will benefit from medicines. We know which medicines they are. But we struggle with making sure there is uninterrupted supplies. We need to learn more on balancing and medical with a psychosocial approach. There are hard lessons but many success stories. For example, this slide is from Syria. It is about six months old, this slide. There will be too many numbers here for you to really appreciate it but if one looks carefully, one sees at the bottom that there is 130 health centers in Syria where health care staff trained. A tool for providing care for people with severe mental disorders in emergencies. 130 centers is a lot gun the whole country in total there has about 1200 centers. So we're at about 16% of the country in Syria. Syria has access. There's access to primary health care. It is much better than 0% which was the number before the emergency. In Afghanistan, over a ten-year period of time, more than 100,000 people were helped in one province where people have on-going work throughout humanitarian emergency. They say out of emergencies, good things can happen. Kosovo had in 2001, a force for health services so over time, things change. You see by 2010 a much more diverse configuration of services. Indeed, this is a quite famous pyramid of WHO for service organization and many countries have most of their money and services and very little at the bottom. And that needs to be balanced. Emergencies are a good opportunity to get to that, to use the status quo interest to re-organize services. You see our map of Sri Lanka. You see on the left where services are where around the time of the tsunami. You see that the interest in men's health during an emergency created momentum to build a national men's health system that is still developing now. Let me end with a more personal example of a teenage girl in Sri Lanka. After the tsunami services were set up in her community -- at her school, newly-appointed mental health worker. Later she asked the worker to visit her mother who was at home. Had become withdrawn and was having trouble functioning within the home and the community. The worker visited the house. Quickly identified her need for care but her family was not so keen for her to receive care. They were worried about stigma. They were worried what was going to happen to her but eventually, the family was convinced and they were connected with new mental health services and she benefited from the services. Later the father who had been very much against the mother receiving mental health care, the father became more trustful. And disclosed to the community health worker he had alcohol use problems and that he would like to deal with that. And he was also brought in to -- he also received necessary care. >> This is my last slide. Thank you. Thank you for listening to me. I hope you will take from this talk a key message that much can be done and much is increasingly things are being done with people with psychosocial disabilities. We hope that this topic will continue to increase in attention. And that it will also be considered during next year's world humanitarian conference. Thank you very much. (Applause). >> I have to thank the presentation by Dr. van Ommeren. I think we appreciate the issue of the stigma that accompanies invisible disability. My next presenter is Patricio Marquez. This looks like an Ecuadorian Mafia. Member of the world bank. He has a distinguished career in the world bank. He is an Ecuadorian like I am and like Moreno is who worked on disability. It is exciting the UN, WHO and the world bank got together for this important issue today at the UN. I'm going to say something that I shouldn't but it is probably the first time in history. Dr. Marcus has been spearheading various health programs at the world bank including recent efforts to respond to global outbreaks, crisis in the southern corner of Africa as well as all of the programs on mental health. The floor is yours, my distinguished colleague. >> As he said, a fellow compatriot of me. Fellow members, colleagues, let me begin by thanking the organizers of this event for inviting us to participate on these important panel that is focusing on a critical development challenge. So on behalf of the world bank, I would like to reiterate that we share your views about the importance of this topic. It is clear, colleagues, the root of our position that inclusion of people of all abilities has to be at the core of sustainable development. It is clear as we have heard this morning that there are billions of people across the globe living with a disability. Some of the disabilities are obvious. Or the disabilities are not so. The rest of us by virtue of being human are -- could develop a disability. The world bank group is committed to do the walk and not only the talk about the social, moral. Removing barriers to promote inclusion and to change attitudes about disability inside and outside our institution. Internally at the world bank, we're striving to allow all our staff with or without disabilities to fully and equally participate in our work, be part of our mission. Our mission of decreasing extreme poverty and increase shared prosperity by the year 2030. We are the world bank also recognize the importance of inclusion in our development work. In many places as we have heard this morning, persons with disabilities face barriers. Lack of equal access to transport, to employment as well as to essential services. So we all should be excited and actually we welcome that excitement around the sustainable development goals to ensure that all persons including persons with disabilities benefit from the 2030 development agenda. In doing so, I'm fully consistent with the panel and to reiterate that we need to focus and to attach a special priority as to promote and bring forward the issue of invisible disabilities as a barrier to society, as a barrier to development, as a barrier to more integrated and sustainable countries. This is long due. This call is long due. The efforts as we have seen are long due. Persons with mental and psychological disabilities represent as we have heard from our colleague, professor, a significant proportion of the population with the special needs. Millions of people are affected by different forms of mental disorders. One in four people globally will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime. One of the striking factors is among the youth, fortunately, that's leading to an epidemic of suicides. Recent reports show that among young girls ages 15 to 19 years, globally, suicide has become the leading cause of death soon passing maternal mortality. Aside from facing it and a stigma of discrimination as we hear from ambassador Gallegos, as well as physical and sexual abuse in homes, hospitals, prisons or as homeless people in the street, persons affected by mental disorders are excluded from social, economic and political activities. We need to be clear, however, and I said the reality as ambassador Mateo clearly articulated that mental health is not only limited to persons with developmental disorders, confined to psychiatric hospitals. Why the spread an invisible phenomenon. Ambassador Mateo says many of us, all our parents, partners, sons and daughters, have felt a sense of loss of attachment from families, friends on regular routines. We also have experienced anxiety about what changes in our personal and professional lives as well as imagine fears, wars that have destructed, confused and educated us. While these episodes tend to be transitory for some of us, some of the conditions force us to take frequent breaks from work. We need to take time off from work for leave of absence because we are depress the or because the medication we're taking to alleviate a mental disorder makes it difficult for us to get up early in the morning and concentrate on work. Because of -- because of alcohol and substance abuse. Sense of alienation from loved ones and daily routines. Also colleagues -- (Inaudible). Mental disorders can be trig when massive social dislocations occur. Ebola in Liberia, guinea and Sierra Leone is an example. As well as the financial crisis of 2008 in cities such as New York. Civil conflicts in central America tend to precipitate these conditions. So what to do? I think it is very clear that we cannot those our eyes to this invisible disability. The best way to make it visible is by promoting the development and implementation of an agenda for action. One entry point is the progressive realization of universal health coverage in order to ensure that people that need care have access to essential services. And this they don't have to spend large amounts of money in order to get those services. Or to buy medications. They need to have diverse coverage to protect them from the impoverishment in part of ill health. In this case, mental ill health. But also the professor from Japan this morning clearly articulated and indicated that mental health cannot be seen only as a biological (Inaudible) in large measure, it is a social phenomenon. Therefore, we need to think that there are different ways to deal with this phenomenon. Mentalizing mental health. We have to find entry points in the location, social protections. And employment. The market. In order to bring these people back into the communities as active members of the communities, as productive members of the community in order to lead healthy, productive and happy lives. The world bank has said we're committed and in order to start operationalizing their broader, response across the world in partnership with the world health organization colleagues and different organizations across the world including the Nippon foundation, my good friend, Akiko will present in the UN convention, we are organizing a global event to coincide with the April 2016 spring meetings of the international monetary fund and the world bank. The goal of the meeting is to launch a broad movement of action to tackle this invisible disability by stressing the social impact. We cannot as I said before, continue to keep our eyes closed. The time has arrived, colleagues. Make this invisible disability visible. Many thanks. (Applause). >> Patricio, thank you for your intervention. I find it extremely interesting to all of us. And to me also, emphasize the work that the foundation has done on this, not only by vocational training and aiding but you said it correctly. It is time that we move forward with an agenda of multistakeholders on this issue and I congratulate you for the initiative of the April meeting in Washington. >> Now I would like to welcome Katherine Goetzke. I hope I pronounced that correctly. The founder of the iFred, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging research on depression and reducing the stigma associated with the disease. >> Thank you for having me and organizing this and thank you for all of your leadership and advocacy on this issue. It means the world to me. I really appreciate that. I'm also really grateful we can give attention to the people with disabilities, including those with mental, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. It has been a year since I've been at the United Nations and so much has happened in mental health advocacy. I feel like we have a lot to celebrate. The inclusion of mental health in sustainable development goals seemed like a daunting task. There is inclusion and not just one but multiple locations throughout the document. And it is historic and I give thanks for that. I'm here today on behalf of myself, my foundation, iFred, and fundamental SDG, a group of global mental health experts and advocates and also the 600 million people with mental disabilities to add indicators to the sustainable goals to we can measure progress. We must give countries measurements through the indicators and hold them accountable to action. Many speakers gave the why for today. There is adequate research that including mental health, helps us meet other sustainable development goals. Not to mention the $16 trillion projected costs to the economy for not doing so. The human's rights crisis alone must initiate serious and immediate action. So today I'm going to take a more personal approach as I believe my story has relevance and insight. My father was one of my greatest mentors. He was energetic, brilliant and he was committed to our family. He came from little and made an impressive life for himself. He got a master’s degree and he became a vice president of the First National Bank of Chicago. Everyone loved him. His generosity to others and his passion for life. He provided us kids experiences few people had including Walmart annual meetings and learning from retailer great Sam Walton. On one particular annual meeting trip, he even ensured I was the one who got to ride in the canoe with Jim Walton where we got stuck in a rainstorm and Jim built me a fire. It is a priceless memory for me and all due to my dad's enthusiasm for life and his desire for my happiness. It was a total devastation when I was a freshman in college and I called my dad from my dorm room only to hear a deep unrecognizable voice on the phone. It was a policeman. My father had taken his life. In that one life altering second, I lost my greatest hero, a person I admired, a person I counted on and loved more than anything in the world. I lost my dad. And I wish my story of depression and suicide ended there tragic though it is. Unfortunately, as it is no surprise genetically, I struggled myself with depression and spent years escaping with alcohol, smoking and other addictions, all societal burdens that come as a consequence for untreated depression. In my early 20s, even after losing my father, and never, ever wanting that pain on another person, I attempted to take my own life. It is a miracle I'm here today. That shocking wake-up call got me to treatment. It gave me the health and focus to get an MBA in international business and the necessary energy to work for fortune 500 companies becoming a productive contributor to the global economy. I then created my own successful company, the mood factory with a consumer brand at Lowe's with over five million sold. In my darkest time, I never would have imagined that possible. Getting my brain healthy also inspired me to start a foundation for depression called iFred to eradicate stigma and rebrand depression using celebrity engagements, sunflower as an international symbol for hope and a curriculum for 10-year-olds that hope is a teachable skill. IFred and global mental health advocacy is my way of giving back. It is an understatement I have been blessed by my access to mental health care. Unfortunately, most don't have access to treatment and won't -- or won't get it due to stigma. 400 million around the world plus have depression yet less than 50% are receiving treatment and even up to 80% to 90% in many countries even though we have money saving treatments. We lose almost a million people a year to suicide. And it is treatable. Tragically, you know, as they were saying suicide is now the leading cause of death for adolescent girls. Our young girls getting ready for a full life are choosing instead to end it early. In fact, one in nine children in the United States are self-reporting suicide attempts prior to graduating high school. This must change. I believe stigma is the reason my father isn't here with me today and why it took me so long to get my own help. Stigma is quite simply a negative brand, a misperception, a lack of understanding and inadequate information. And with a we don't understand, we often fear. Stigma impacts everything. Funding, access to treatment, compliance, and relationships. Us working together to change stigma changes everything. My late mentor, Mr. Paul Carter, continued my dad's traditions and took me to a few Saturday morning meetings at Walmart. I was lucky enough to see Nancy Brinker from the Susan G. Komen foundation speak about breast cancer in the '90s also once a highly stigmatized disease. I watched how she and others transformed the stigma of breast policy through celebrity engagement and the iconic pink ribbon. Not a day goes by I don't think about what my dad had done if he lived. I watched his colleagues do extraordinary things becoming executives of large corporations, institutions, banks, creating massive, positive change in the world. I know had he made it through this difficult time, he would have come out of the other side ten times stronger. So I stand today in solidarity with depression survivors, those impacted by the loss of someone they love to suicide and others needing mental health support including those impacted by autism, Asperger’s and post-traumatic stress disorder. I stand with the 1 plus billion impact globally. I stand in solidarity with those in chains and the one in nine children feeling so hopeless they attempt to take their own lives before even graduating high school. I believe creating specific indicators in the sustainable development goals is one of the most important things we can do today to end stigma and ultimately provide access to care. It is not a suggestion. It is a must. For these indicators to send a clear message to our world from the global leaders that there is no shame in asking for help. That we are not invisible. That the United Nations believes in treatment, equality and human dignity for all. Thank you so much. (Applause). >> Katherine, thank you very much for your very personal words and we join you. We believe in the indicators will help. Your example is worthy of making it more public to those millions of people who have depression. >> Last but not least, I would like to welcome Dr. Vivien bender, special advisor of the American psychiatric association and the chair of the NGO committee on mental health for the UN. Welcome. The floor is yourself. >> Thank you. Thank you very much for organizing this panel and it's really an honor to join you. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, NGO representatives, ladies and gentlemen, what we may call invisible disabilities may, in fact, be detectable by an informed, knowledgeable, careful society. This knowledge, I believe will make the invisible, visible. What I will talk about is early symptoms and early interventions. The American psychiatric association has found that 50% of all mental disabilities, intellectual disabilities and psychosocial disabilities begins by age 14. And 75% begins by age 24. So this is happening at early ages. And there are signs that if noticed by informed individuals, can alter the course. And informed and knowledgeable society will help to decrease stigma and value all individuals. Major mental disabilities such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder rarely appear spontaneously without indicators. Most often, family, friends, teachers or individuals themselves begin to recognize small changes or a feeling that something is not quite right or something is different. About their thinking, their feelings or their behavior. Way before one of these disabilities appears in a full-blown form. Learning about developing symptoms or early signs and taking action can help. Early intervention can help reduce the severity of a disability. It may even be possible to delay or prevent a major mental disability altogether. Knowledge is power and an antidote to fear of the unknown. The American Psychiatric Association advises that if several of the following are occurring -- so these are some early symptoms -- it may be useful to follow up with a mental health professional. Withdrawal like social withdrawal. Loss of interest. Decreased functioning. Problems thinking. Increased sensitivity. Apathy. Feeling disconnected. Illogical thinking. Nervousness and agitation. Unusual behavior. Sleep or appetite changes. Mood changes. And of course, suicidal thought or intent. One or two of these symptoms alone can't predict a mental disability but if a person is experiencing several at one time and the symptoms are causing serious problems in the ability to study work or relate to others, he or she should be seen by a mental health professional. Taking action and getting help. Decades of research around the world have shown that early interventions can often minimize or delay symptoms. And improve prognosis. We advise having an evaluation, if it's possible. Learning about mental disability. Including the signs and symptoms. Receiving supportive counseling about daily life and strategies for stress management and monitoring closely for conditions that require more intensive care. Each individual situation must be assessed carefully and demand comprehensive treatments, treatments that like those provided by the NGOs that are part of the committee on mental health. To prevent early symptoms from progressing into serious disability, on-going individual and family counseling. Vocational and educational support. Participation in problem solving groups and medications when appropriate. Family members are valued partners and should be involved whenever possible. And learning about mental disability and what is happening in the brain can help individuals and families understand the significance of symptoms and how a disability might develop and what can be done to help. Early intervention programs require education, awareness and funding for families, communities, and professionals. Many mental health professionals remain dedicated to making the invisible, visible by providing training and education just as with other medical illnesses, early intervention can make a crucial difference in preventing what could become a serious disability. There is a saying that there is no health without mental health. I would just like to say a few words about suicide and then I will stop. Each year, there have been a lot of statistics, but in the United States alone, there is a suicide every 15 minutes. Just to put that in dramatic -- every 15 minutes, a person commits suicide. Just in the United States Alone. So the numbers are greater worldwide. Men are nearly four times more likely than women to take their lives and yet suicide can be preventable. Knowing the risk factors, the warning signs and protective factors are very important. I think some of the warning signs have been spoken about. A history of suicide in a family, increased alcohol use, withdrawal, reckless behavior, dramatic mood changes. Sometimes an immediate stressor or sudden catastrophic event can cause a kind of tipping point. And if someone indicates that they are considering suicide, listen! And take their concerns seriously. And don't be afraid to ask about their plans. Ask about how they're feeling. Asking a person if they are considering or thinking about suicide does not cause the person to become suicidal. If anything, it can offer relief. Let them know that you care. So there are risk factors for suicide that we've also spoken about. And there are protective factors. Effective mental health care. Strong connections to individuals. Problem solving and conflict resolution skills and contact with providers. As with mental disabilities, one of the biggest barriers to preventing suicide is stigma. One of the best antidotes is knowledge. And that could offer a great deal of help to many people. Thank you so much. (Applause). >> Thank you very much for your intervention. That is the last of my panels. We're more than an hour and 15 minutes off schedule on this case. I just would like to end with these very few thoughts. I would like to thank the panel for their insightful and inspiring discussions. I feel that this discussion will be inclusive and accessible to all including persons with intellectual disabilities and persons with mental and psychological disabilities. We need to make this -- these invisible disabilities visible as many of the panelists have insisted and included in our efforts to promote inclusion and universal accessibility to eliminate stigma which I think is the predominant word that has been mentioned on this panel. I am convinced now is the time to strengthen our commitment and effort to promote the rights of persons with mental intellectual and psychological disabilities and truly and finally realize mental health and well-being for all people of the world. I would like to thank you very much for your presence here today. And stop the panel and thank you again and thank the audience for their participation. Thank you. (Applause).

Panel Discussion: “Operationalizing the 2030 agenda for sustainable development: Disability data, statistics and indicators, monitoring and evaluation for inclusive development” >> Important progress has been made over the last months in the indicator global indicator proposal which will be reviewed by the statistical commission in its next session of March of 2016. The ISDGs were established this last March and it is made up from 28 member states. They're the heart of the work of the interagency and expert group. Over the past months, the group has work hard to conduct its proceedings and on goings in an open inclusive and transparent manner. Having invited experts, academia, private sector to contribute to consultations and contribute their expertise and specialized views on specific indicators. Recently at the September summit, the important mandate to the statistical condition for the development and implementation of the 2030 agenda was reconfirmed. As is stated in the 2030 agenda in paragraph 75, the global indicator framework is being developed by the IGDs and adopted by the academic and social council in line with existing mandates. The IAG SDGS is working to indicate the framework addresses all sustainable globes and targets including the implementation, while preserving the integrity and ambitions contained within the agenda. This past October over 250 participants attended the second meeting of the expert group where there were close to 200 observers from member states that are not members of the IAG international and regional organizations, civil society, academia and private sector. The meeting reached agreement on a set of over 220 indicators of which 160 are considered green. Meaning that there were no serious concerns expressed by the members. The remaining indicators were considered. Several methodological and consensual issues that need to be clarified and it would be formalized after the more research had been conducted. The meeting also had agreed to have a further consultation on the indicators that were determined green. This happened in early November and we received over 700 inputs. These inputs have been taken into consideration in the past week as the members finalize the green indicators. As we all know, the principle of the 2030 agenda is to ensure that no one is left behind. The sustainable development reaches the most vulnerable people. Data desegregation is important but we need to note data desegregation is not always enough. Data collection tools or survey questions might need to be re-examined to determine if they're not hidden by a season or design or implementation. The work that's been done by the Washington group is an example of a way to develop more tools in order to measure to improve data collection. >> Specifically paragraph 74G of the document. The interagency and expert group agreed upon a statement regarding desegregation that will serve as a shot of the global indicator set. The wording in paragraph 74G and target 17.8 and includes a statement that desegregation should be in accordance with the fundamental principles of official statistics. The note reads SEG indicators should be desegregated where relevant where income, sex, ethnicity, migratory status, geographic location or other characteristics in accords on with the fundamental principles of official statistics. >> As we all know, there are six targets with specific reference to persons with disability. The interagency and members have taken notice of this and are committed to ensuring that these indicators that indicators for these targets are able to measure the situation of persons with disabilities. The indicators for these targets were coded green after the Bangkok meeting through the strong support from the during the open consultation and IAG members are ensuring the elements of disability either are included through desegregation by persons with disability or as a target 11.2 reference to accessibility by persons with disability. Concerns raised by advocates from persons with disability are being explicitly addressed in the indicator formulation for these targets. Currently, we're working on the gray indicators. Our team has been viewing the inputs received from the July to September consultations and questionnaires sent to members before the October meeting of the group. So in order to continue our spirit of having an open, inclusive and transparent proceedings of the group, we want to announce that the consultation for the gray indicators will open next Wednesday. Through so it will be the 9th of December through the 15th available for stakeholders. If you look's IAG's website, you'll find the link when it is made available for the additional consultation on the gray indicators. The work we've been doing on the green indicators in the gray indicators will be reflected in the report to the statistical commission in which indicators for all SEG targets, the background information on the process to develop the indicators an outline on a process for updating and future work plans will be included. Ultimately, the final decision of the number, type and formulation of indicators in the global indicator framework proposal rests with the IAG members. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you for the update on the status of the development of the SDG indicators. We welcome the fact that the group are considering disability in how it can be reflected on the targets mentioning disability but also on the other indicators throughout the framework. So I will move now to another colleague from the United Nations, Mrs. Margaret Mbogoni, a colleague work on statistics. She used to be many years ago the focal point for disabilities and she's back into that position again. She has a lot of expertise in that area and she has, for example, contributed to the development of the international classification of functioning disability and health. She's working closely with our colleagues from Australia. We will welcome hearing from her on what the UN division is doing and plans to do in the next 15 years so that we have information on disability. The floor is yours. >> Thank you, Maria. I have a Power Point presentation. It is coming up? United Nations disability statistics program in support of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. So my name is Margaret. I'm a statistician in the demographic branch. In the statistics division. As you have heard over and over again today, there is a need for better to monitor and plan for persons with disabilities. I cannot emphasize that enough. But what I will say is that it is imperative that the debtor we collected, they should be feat for purpose so that they are meaning for use in the countries where these sustainable goals have to be implemented. More than ever before, action is needed in the countries, not even in the countries, not the global but down at the local we are planning implemented. So for that matter, we need adequate, reliable and accurate data to monitor the situation of persons with disabilities to ensure they are inclusive in the societies in which they live. Information in the statistics division shows that national efforts to correct the disability have gone up over the decade. I will use an example taken from our census program. In the 1970 census, we started in the mid-1960s Only 19 countries collected data through their census. By the 2000 which spanned 1995 to 2004, this number had gone up to 103 countries. And for the current around, the less time we check which was toward the end of 2013, 94 countries had already included a question on disability in their when we do the final tally, we think that many more countries will have included disability as a topic in their countries. In spite of the countries, correct data through census, there is still lack of comparability among the countries regarding how disabilities defined, the concepts they use and consequently, how it is measured. Again, with the reference to use in the sense of this. For instance, when we looked at the 2010 census around toward the end of 2013, we looked at questionnaires from 124 countries of which 94 had included a question on disability. But among these 94, we found 23 used the approach suggested by the Washington group. 22 still collected information using impairments and another 40 used other approaches. But even within those that use the Washington group approach, there are many variations on how this was operationalized within the countries. So where are we now? Now we are at a new juncture. This new juncture being the beginning of the 2020 world population and housing census program, which spans the period 2015 to 2024. They passed a resolution this last June in which it stressed the importance of census as a source for data for inclusive social economic involvement or assessing situation of special population groups including person with a disability. For the first time, the census resolution includes reference to persons with a disability. In the context of this meeting, we are talking about the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. This agenda has a reference to no one will be left behind. And also reaching the furthest behind (Inaudible) and in that context, recognizes persons with disabilities as one of the vulnerable groups. Next please. So as you've heard from the representative of the government of Australia, the end statistics division has received a grant from the government of Australia and we are very grateful to Australia for this to implement a project on disability statistics. This project is four years. Started this year. And in the year 2019. Its main objective is to enhance the capacity of national statistical offices to produce and disseminate good, quality and fruitful purpose statistics on disability for evidence based on making and monitoring. It looks like a simple statement but it has so many (Inaudible) Next please. >> Within this project, we have two expected accomplishments. The first one is formulate international guidelines for measurement of disability taking into account instruments. Good, national practices. And country experiences. We want to recognize the good work to come up with the measures of disabilities through the census and an extended one for the samples. But now that we're back in the system, we want to work with the Washington group and there are other players including for instance there are others who want to get together and come up with the bulk that says United Nations recommendations for measurement of disability statistics. To also work with the countries. Look at the experiences. Why is it in spite of what we have so far in terms of recommendations, countries are still asking questions the way they are. We want to understand their needs. We want to work with them so that we have practical guidelines that will collect information they need. Next please. Next please. With regard to the guidelines, we'll build on ongoing endeavors and existing measures and take into account the experiences of the countries and go through a conservative process. I want to mention that the involvement of countries is the importance for getting measures that are applicable and relevant for their need and for generating a feat for purpose. Because at the end of the day, it is the countries that really need and that has to be relevant and in order for it to be relevant, they have to be (Technical Difficulties). (Inaudible). (Inaudible). (Technical Difficulties). (Audio difficulties). >> I was just informed it will take a few minutes to solve the technical problem. We'll try to get on with the presentation. Please bear with us. My apologies for this technical difficulties. >> Can you hear me? In working in the capacity of countries, we pay special attention to the countries which don't have many associates through which they collect information. Experience at the UN statistics division from way back when from the time when I was even know is that for many working countries, the only source of data is population and housing census. But then as we've heard over and over again, sustainable development grows, is so far reaching that there is a need, all available sources of data. Those sources have to be reliable and credible. In order not to be a misleading picture about the situation of persons with disabilities. So in that context, we will work with countries, especially developing countries on the importance of developing and exploiting (Inaudible). My office already has an ongoing program with statistics systems. In that context, we will continue to the countries to further develop and strengthen their systems. There is a new initiative starting on countries with a program would deem that context we would work with the countries to see how this can be exploited for generating data on disability. Then we will also work in housing country's capacities to use appropriate technologies with regard to the census, with regard to being able to connect to different sources of data, with regard to dissemination. Next, please. In times of the mortalities for enhancing the national capacity, we will rely on training workshops, measurement of disability within this broad one, we will also include training that is related to the census. The census when it comes to leave no one behind is a very good source of data because it covers everyone in the country so you have data on everyone in the country regarding where they live and their characteristics but we also know that for more details, you need some you need other sources of data. We will develop materials for use on disability measurement and also arrange the corporation so that countries can land from one another, those with good practices can be teachers for those that want to learn about how things are done in those. Those ones are good practices and also provide advisor assistance upon the request of the countries. Next. I guess this is not being shown? Oh, yeah. This is a far reaching product that UNSD cannot work on on its own. We will work with other stakeholders. Within the family, including the division for social development Other UN agencies. UNICEF, world bank, UNESCO. And the general commissions and of course, the Washington group so that we can finalize the work that this group has carried out over the years and come up with the end recommendations for measurement. Next, please. >> I want to let you know that this is not the first time that the UN statistics division is working on the area of disability. We have a long history that spans almost 30 years whereby we've developed guidelines, including the principles and guidelines for the disability statistics including the principles and recommendations for preparation and housing and also (Inaudible) and dissemination. It was actually the result of analyzing the data in our database that we notice noncomparability of data and that the countries we use that my office actually was an organizer of an international seminar, we recommended the formation of the Washington group. So this that context, actually, your founding member of the Washington group. We also provided technical assistance in the form of a workshop. Next, please. In conclusion, I want to say that we have to get data for a purpose through the tours and guidelines, through national capacity develop and all of these collaborations particularly with the countries. With others of course. But particularly with the countries. After all, nothing about us without that. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thank you, Margaret for letting us know what UN statistics division is doing to promote more statistics in the future. This is very useful work. I'm now going to move to the next panelist, Ms. Claudia Cappa. She's a statistics and monitoring specialist at UNICEF and has been working for many years also on disabilities statistics. Specifically in developing measures to identify children with disabilities in surveys. So Claudia, we are happy to hear from you in the next few minutes on how can this help us to implement the 2030. The floor is yourself. >> Thank you, Maria. I would like to start my presentation by thanking the organizers for giving UNICEF the opportunity to join this distinguished panel on this important day. I would like to share with you two main considerations in response to the theme of the day. So the building of 2013 agenda that will be inclusive for all persons with disability from the data standpoint. The first point I would like to make is probably not a surprising one given the fact that I am here to represent UNICEF. It is really the need for special consideration to children when trying to address the needs for data on disability. Data on disability have been in all groups. Before me, the case has been made for reliable data on disability. But within the context of this need for data, I think children have been particularly invisible in data collection efforts. A systematic review conducted by UNICEF over the last couple of years show that of the 700 and plus surveys in censuses that have been conducted in the last 15 years, only 22 of them 22 specifically included measures that were designed to capture disability in children. And we know from research then when children are not included in data collection, with specific questions that are tailored to capture disability in children, they're not visible. They're not captured. In other words, children when there are no specific questions, aim at collecting this disability data on them tend to be enumerated by using generic questionnaires applicable to the entire population. So when we think about ways in which we need to develop an inclusive data collection system on disability, we need to remember that children needs to have specific data collection tools that reflect their level of mental status. Children by their definition and in a constant process of development. From the data collection point, this creates some unique challenges. We know now after many, many years of data collection, the genetic questions that are applicable to adult simply do not produce reliable results in children. So when we try to develop an inclusive data collection system, we have to keep children at the center of the agenda. Children from low economic background and girls in particular tend to be underestimated even more in data collection efforts that have not designed to specifically capture them. Surveys that have been implemented with specific questions for children have generated better results. In terms of this ability of specifically address the need of children with disability. There was an important reference in interventions by the panelists before me about the importance of censuses for generating systematic data and survey as a source of data that could provide with you additional information. Well it is important again in dispute of being inclusive that within the context of survey, specifically when we try to address the need of children with disability, we are not capturing the population of children who do not reside in households. In children with disability are very often found in institutions. So we do need to compensate the formation of data of household survey with other methods of data that will allow us to capture children who reside in institutions and solutions that we know are likely to have disability and disabilities might be the reason why they're placed in institutions. The second point I would like to make is about what can be done to support national efforts to address the need for disability data. And I'm glad that again, I'm following intervention from Margaret that is so beautifully expresses the importance of responding to the needs of countries when thinking about creating this demand for disability data. As international community, creating this demand for reliable and comprehensive data on disability is important. But some demand comes with responsibility to provide support to countries in this effort to produce data on these important issues. What does this support imply? It implies in my view two basic things that were mentioned before. First the need to provide countries with tested and validated data collection instruments that can be used in their national efforts to collect data. But the development of data collection instrument is not sufficient. Developing of questionnaire and making the questionnaire available to country is not enough. The country needs capacity. It needs resources to be able to take this tool and integrate them in their data collection efforts. So what does it mean capacity? It means that we need to do systematic investments in strengthening national capacity for the collection analysis, interpretation and also use of the disability statistics that are generated. Why? Because this remains a very complex area of measurement. And the new data needs that have been generated by the new SDGs agenda are such that countries need to have dedicated support. In these efforts toward generating toward it is legitimate to us, what is UNICEF doing to address such needs. In response to the point I made on the need to have specific tools for children and specific and systematic way to support countries in these data collection efforts. Well UNICEF is working to strengthening child disability measurements by engaging in important partnerships first and foremost. In response to the needs for robust data collection tools, UNICEF and the Washington group with an important support from the government of Australia have worked together since 2011 on the development of a new data collection module on functioning and disability for use in censuses and surveys. This module reflects current thinking on disability measures. And it is intended to produce internationally comparable data on disability. It covers children between the ages of 2 and 17. And assess functional limitations in the domain of speech, language, hearing, vision, learning, mobility and emotions, all domains of functioning that are of particular relevance in importance for children. UNICEF and the Washington group are also working on the development of a specific measures, a specific measure that A must collect information on school environment and participation. We know that disability is a complex concept that results from the interaction of individuals in the environment. In response to one of the questions that Maria raised about the importance of measuring the environment and the specific reference to the SDG target about accessibility, UNICEF and the Washington group are developing this module that really look at the aptitudes of parents and people in general, schooling for children with disability but also try to measure the environment, the school environment. Children might be attending school. Including children with disability. But the school setting and the environment in which they are learning might not be able to accommodate their needs. Through this type of new data collection instruments, we'll be able to identify possible barriers and facilitators to school participation for children with disabilities. Together, this module will provide comprehensive measure of this disability assessing both individual characteristics as well as environmental factor. When used in surveys that cover indicators of well-being for children like, for instance the survey or a mix survey that covers topics like immunization, these instruments will allow us to desegregate very important well-being indicators for children like (Inaudible) by disability stages. We'll finally, be able to report on major international commitments including those results from the SDG agenda by the statements. There are no excuses anymore that can prevent us from the data because we have tested and validated instruments that would allow us to identify children with disability in the report on the status. This modules are now undergoing the final round of testing and will be launched at the commission next year. The one on child functioning and disability. And therefore after that, will be made available for country to use. This is my last point, I said it earlier. Developing data collection instrument is not enough. This has to bring to capacity and assistance and capacity building activities. To strengthen country's capacities to generate and use disability data, Washington group is conducting national and regional workshops on the measurement of disability in children. Again with a specific focus on children. The trainings targeted, national statistical offices, government staff, disability, DPOs and the researchers on concepts, models, measure disabilities, survey design, data processing issues, how to disseminate the data. How to use the data to promote change for children with disability. We are very excited to see that these initiatives have generated overwhelming interest. In 2015, UNICEF and the Washington group have provided direct training or technical assistance to more than 30 low and middle income countries in the data collection. And we plan to reach 50 more countries. We support and funding from the government of Australia. UNICEF is committed to continuing this fruitful collaboration with the Washington group and the Australian government for the development of data collection tools and production of internationally compatible statistics. We hope many statistical offices, DPOs and other partners will join us in these important tasks. Thank you. (Applause). >> Thanks, Claudia for the optimistic intervention telling us there is no more excuse not to have disability desegregation. I hope the members are hearing you at this point. So I will also make before I go to the next speaker, I'm Makin announcement. There are several people waiting for the UN film festival. We'll have five more speakers. I estimate this will take about 25 minutes. And after that, we will start the film festival. Please stay with us. We'll continue now with the next speaker. Ms. Alarcos from the WHO. She could not join us in person but we will have a video from her giving her intervention. She's the coordinator of the WHO's work on disability and rehabilitation. And among her jobs, she oversees data collection particularly the disability surveys. I hope we can start the video now. Can we? Okay. Let's go for the video now. >> Dear distinguished colleagues, it is a great pleasure to be part of the panel discussion on this international day of persons with disabilities. My colleagues from UN have already in the title of this panel discussion, the essential components of the implementation of the sustainable development agenda from the perspective of disability. It is about this disability data. Indicators and monitoring and evaluating development policies, programs and actions. For WHO, the disability data and disability statistics need to be guided by the definition of disability we find in the convention and the rights of people with disabilities as well as international classification of functioning disability and health. Disability is the outcome of the interaction of impairments of self- conditions with environment. Therefore it is essential that our disability data include information about these components. Disabilities in terms of how persons with impairments on conditions live their lives and the problems they encounter. The level of health in terms of impairments of health conditions and the physical sociological and environment. Only if we have three pieces of information, we will be able to have a statistic that tells us what are the contribution of the environment and what is the contribution of our health to the experience of disability. Furthermore, only in this way, we will be able to inform policy and development so that resources are invested where they are needed. In terms of indicators, the perspective of WHO is very clear. All indicators used to monitor the sustainable agenda and all of those who are meaningful don't which report should be ideally desegregated for disability. This needs to be done, however, in such a way that persons with disability with mental disorders with psychosocial disabilities with greater disorders are also taken into consideration. In light with one of the topics of this international day of persons with disabilities, we need to include persons with invisible disabilities in society and to achieve this, it is a necessity to include them in our statistics. This needs to be a collaborative effort of all agencies. All of us need to contribute. Data needs to be shared.

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