Finland’s second presidency of session of Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On 14–16 June 2022, Finland will serve for the second time in succession as president of the session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Representatives from more than 180 countries are expected to attend the conference in New York. A large number of representatives of civil society organisations and UN agencies, dedicated to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, will also attend the conference. The Finnish delegation will be led by Permanent State Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Jukka Salovaara.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted in 2006, has currently 185 States Parties. Finland ratified the Convention in 2016. The States Parties meet annually in New York to discuss the implementation of the obligations laid down in the CRPD and to consider other topical questions. The COSP is convening for its 15th session and Finland serves as its president for the second time in succession. Finland will hand over the presidency of the COPS after this session.

The COSP has become a significant annual platform for discussion on the rights of persons with disabilities. It is attended by not only states but also by a large number of non-governmental/civil society organisations that promote the rights of persons with disabilities. The realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities is among the priorities of Finland's human rights policy and a cross-cutting goal of development policy.

The Finnish delegation is led by State Secretary Salovaara. He is accompanied by representatives of the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Every year, Finnish organisations for persons with disabilities select their representative to join the delegation.

The overarching theme of the 15th session of the COSP is building disability-inclusive and participatory societies in the COVID context and beyond. Other themes of the session are innovation and technology advancing disability rights; economic empowerment and entrepreneurship of persons with disabilities; and, thirdly, participation of persons with disabilities in climate action, disaster risk reduction and resilience to natural disasters. Finland’s address in the general debate will be given by Minister Ville Skinnari.

Additionally, there will be several side events focusing on the rights of persons with disabilities. Finland will organise a side event together with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) on the participation of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction measures.

The session will be webcast live on the UN Web TV Channel at webtv.un.org(Link to another website.). The side events can be followed also online.

Inquiries

  • Mia Spolander, Legal Officer, Unit for Human Rights Courts and Conventions, tel. +358 295 350 666
  • Petri Puhakka, Ambassador for Disability Inclusion, Unit for Humanitarian Assistance and Policy, tel. +358 295 350 332.
  • The Foreign Ministry’s email addresses are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi