Programme :
Closing Remarks by Ms. Thelma Kay
Chief, Emerging Social Issues Division
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the closing of the UNESCAP/CDPF Field Study cum Regional Workshop on
Poverty Alleviation among Persons with Disabilities (Lanzhou, Gansu
Province, China, 25-29 October 2004), I would like to convey my sincere
appreciation as well as my personal gratitude for your valuable
contributions to the success of this joint event.
Without your hard work and dedication, it would not have been possible to
achieve the positive results that we have attained, particularly in the
successful deliberations during the substantive sessions of the Workshop
component and drafting our joint statement. UNESCAP is honoured to be able
to have co-organized the event with our long-lasting partner, the China
Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF).
My gratitude is extended to the Government of China for its significant
support for the efforts of UNESCAP to promote the full participation and
equality of persons with disabilities through many activities and
initiatives during the first Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons
and the renewed Decade from 2003 to 2012.
As you are well aware, Governments in the Asian and Pacific region have
proclaimed the extension of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons
for another 10 years from 2003 to 2012. The Biwako Millennium Framework for
Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for
Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF) was adopted as a
regional policy guideline for the renewed Decade.
The Decade (2003-2012) must ensure a paradigm shift from a charity-based
approach to a developmental and rights-based approach to promote a
twin-track approach of disability integration into pro-poor development and
empowerment of persons with disabilities. The BMF outlines seven priority
areas to realize this goal, and we have discussed the priory theme of
“disability and development”, and integrating disability concerns into
pro-poor development strategies. The accomplishment of this Workshop has
definitely contributed to the effective implementation of the goals of the
Decade, particularly the goal No. 7.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my sincere hope that the result of our learning and the joint
statement will be of use in continuing to improve the well-being and
socio-economic status of persons with diversified disabilities in the Asian
and Pacific region.
We at UNESCAP will do our share of the work to achieve the goals and
targets of the Biwako Millennium Framework to ensure that persons with
diverse abilities will all be a valuable part of our society.
We look forward to your continued cooperation and support in the many
tasks ahead of us in the remaining years during the current Decade of
Disabled Persons.
I wish all of you a safe journey home and thank you very much.
Return to top |
