Expert Group Meeting and Seminar on an International Convention to Protect and Promote the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
Bangkok, Thailand, 2-4 June 2003

Message from Ambassador Luis Gallegos, Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities

I want to welcome you to the regional seminar for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok on a convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. When the Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities was established by the General Assembly, the resolution envisaged a series of regional meetings that could provide valuable input into its work.

I had the pleasure of observing the first of these regional meetings that was held in Quito, Ecuador in April of this year. That event brought together representatives of the governments of the Latin American and Caribbean region, as well as many observers from non-governmental organizations. It adopted the Declaration of Quito that strongly endorsed the need for a Convention from that region's perspective. It also made valuable suggestions on the specific content of a Convention.

The second regional meeting was held in Africa in early May and also adopted a declaration.

The idea of a Convention reflected a concern of countries in the developing regions that such an instrument would be valuable. They saw the link between the rights of persons with disabilities and the process of development. Drawing and strengthening this link is something that a regional perspective can bring to the discussions of the Ad Hoc Committee.

Each region has its own needs and context, and it is important to have these reflected in our deliberations if the full range of interests is to be considered. There will also be common features that cut across all regions and these commonalities also need to be reflected.

I intend to examine the results of all of the regional meetings and make them available to the Committee at its next session and I particularly look forward to the results of your meeting.

I wish you all success in your important endeavor.

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Last updated 05/22/03. Contact: facilitator@worldenable.net