Minister Naughton delivers Ireland’s National Statement at the Conference of State Parties for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Published on: 10 June 2025
- Last updated on: 12 June 2025
Minister of State for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, delivered Ireland’s National Statement at the Conference of State Parties for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in UN headquarters today.
Speaking on her attendance at the Conference, Minister of State for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton said:
“The Conference of State Parties for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an important opportunity each year for Ireland to reaffirm its commitment to the Convention and the articulation of fundamental human rights that it represents.
"Lived experience must be at the heart of effective policy making, this is especially true when it comes to supporting people with disabilities and their families. That’s why I’m particularly proud to be in New York this week, joined by several of Ireland’s leading disability organisations. These include the Independent Living Movement of Ireland, the National Platform of Self-Advocates, both part of the DPO Network, as well as representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland.
"Their voices will make an invaluable contribution at the United Nations, helping to shape global dialogue through insight grounded in real-life experience. This is a vital opportunity not only to highlight Ireland’s leadership in this area but also to engage in meaningful exchange with other nations.”
Minister Naughton continued:
“Above all, it is essential that disabled people and their representative organisations are at the forefront of our presence at the UN. I will be speaking to the importance of this lived experience when I deliver Ireland’s National Statement, reaffirming our commitment to the progressive realisation of the UNCRPD in Ireland.
"I am also proud that Ireland will host an event at the Conference on the role of disabled people and their representative organisations in the co-design of Ireland’s forthcoming National Disability Strategy. This event is designed to reflect the purpose and spirit of the Conference, which is a unique opportunity each year for disabled people and State representatives to gather and renew our joint commitment to a more inclusive society.
"This year’s Conference is particularly poignant in the lead up to the Second World Summit for Social Development in November, a global event aimed at fostering inclusive development and addressing key challenges to achieve well-being for all. Earlier this year, Ireland endorsed the Amman-Berlin Declaration at the Global Disability Summit, which calls for full and effective engagement of persons with disabilities in all stages of development cooperation, and humanitarian action.”
Throughout the Conference, Minister Naughton will meet with counterparts from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Sierra Leone and New Zealand to discuss learnings, with a focus on how each jurisdiction has approached ensuring that the voices of disabled people are centred in decision making processes, and on innovation in delivering better, rights-based outcomes for disabled people.
The Conference of State Parties is attended annually by delegates from the 185 countries that have ratified the UNCRPD, in recognition of the rights it articulates for disabled people. The Conference represents a significant opportunity for State Parties to the Convention, and civil society organisations, to gather and share progress as well as challenges.
This is the 18th annual Conference of State Parties for the UNCRPD and it will take place in New York from 10 to 12 June 2025. The Minister is joined by representatives from disabled persons’ organisations and disability civil society. On Wednesday 12 June, Ireland will host an event, co-sponsored by New Zealand and Sierra Leone, on the vital role played by disabled people and disabled people’s organisations in the development of Ireland’s forthcoming National Disability Strategy.