STATEMENT by the representative of Turkmenistan at the C5+1 Special Session on Disability Rights Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished participants,

At the outset let me express our gratitude to U.S. Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Lisa Carty and Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara for the initiative to convene and host today’s C5+1 Special Session on Disability Rights.

Turkmenistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

We firmly believe that inclusivity is not just a moral imperative but a fundamental pillar for sustainable development, especially as the international community gathered for the seventeenth session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP17) with its overarching theme “Rethinking disability inclusion in the current international juncture and ahead of the Summit of the Future.”

Allow me to focus briefly on the national agenda, saying that in recent years, Turkmenistan has made significant strides in advancing disability rights.

 

 

 

We have harmonized our national legislation with the CRPD, ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy equal rights and opportunities in all aspects of life. Our National Action Plan on Human Rights, adopted in 2021, includes specific measures to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities. Through collaboration with international organizations, particularly UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF, we have strengthened our social protection system, providing essential services and support to those in need, including through a 2021 survey on the status of persons with disabilities.

 

We recognize that progress is an ongoing journey.

We are committed to further enhancing accessibility, promoting inclusive education, and empowering persons with disabilities to participate fully in our society.

We believe that regional cooperation within the C5+1 framework can be a powerful catalyst for advancing disability rights in Central Asia. By sharing best practices, exchanging knowledge, and collaborating on regional initiatives, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

These are possible segments where Central Asian nations and the United States can cooperate to align with the CRPD:

1. Inclusive Education: Share expertise and resources to develop and implement inclusive education policies and practices, ensuring that children with disabilities have equal access to quality education in mainstream settings. This aligns with the CRPD's Article 24 and Turkmenistan's ongoing efforts to develop a Concept of Inclusive Education.
2. Capacity Building: Provide training and technical assistance to government officials, service providers, and organizations of persons with disabilities to enhance their capacity to implement the CRPD and promote disability rights.

 

1. Accessible Infrastructure and Services: Collaborate on developing and implementing universal design principles in infrastructure and service delivery, making them accessible to all persons with disabilities. This aligns with the CRPD's Article 9 and Turkmenistan's commitment to improving accessibility in its National Action Plan on Human Rights.
2. Economic Empowerment: Support initiatives that promote the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, including vocational training and employment opportunities.
3. Knowledge sharing on Data Collection tools: Cooperate to harmonize data collection methodologies and advanced data monitoring tools across the C5+1 countries to accurately assess the situation of persons with disabilities and track progress. This aligns with the CRPD's emphasis on data for decision-making and Turkmenistan's efforts in the 2021 Survey on Vulnerabilities on People with Disabilities.
4. Regional Exchange and Cooperation: Establish a regional platform for C5+1 countries to share experiences, best practices, and lessons learned in implementing the CRPD, fostering peer learning and collaboration.

Dear participants,

While moving forward let us remember that the CRPD agenda is inextricably linked to the broader spectrum of human dimension issues and a holistic approach is needed.

Turkmenistan stands ready to actively engage in today’s important dialogue and work together with our C5+1 partners to champion disability rights and build a region where everyone can thrive.

Thank you.