1 June 2026 - This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the landmark treaty that transformed the global understanding of disability, from a charity and medical model to a human rights-based approach grounded in dignity, equality, autonomy and full participation.
From 9 to 11 June 2026, the nineteenth session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (COSP19) will convene at Â鶹APP Headquarters in New York under the theme: ¡°CRPD at 20: Celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world.¡±
Over the past two decades, the Convention has driven important progress. Countries have strengthened legal protections, advanced accessibility, promoted inclusive education, and expanded participation in public and political life. Disability inclusion has also become an essential part of the global sustainable development agenda.
Yet significant barriers remain. Persons with disabilities continue to face unequal access to education, employment, healthcare, digital technologies, social protection and decision-making processes. Emerging global challenges, including conflict, climate change, inequality and technological disruption, risk deepening exclusion.
COSP19 provides a critical platform for advancing solutions. Discussions will focus on preventing exploitation, violence and abuse; strengthening care and support systems that promote autonomy and resilience; and enhancing accessible civic engagement, leadership and political participation.
A defining strength of the CRPD has been the leadership of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, whose voices remain central to shaping progress.
As the international community marks this milestone, the focus must be on accelerating implementation and translating commitments into measurable change. The CRPD remains a vital roadmap for building inclusive, resilient and equitable societies.
Twenty years after its adoption, the promise of the Convention endures: a world where persons with disabilities can fully exercise their rights and participate equally in every aspect of life.
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