QUESTION
OF THE
MONTH

We are aware of the significant role that UN has in developing countries as technical partners of the national governments in making development inclusive for persons with disabilities.  The primary objective of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy(UNDIS) is to build  the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations. The strategy expects UN entities to engage with the OPDs who have a pivotal role to play in disability inclusive development and calls for meaningful engagement between UN entities and  the OPDs at the country level.

The 2020 report of the UN Sec- Gen on the implementation of the UNDIS states that only 20% of UN entities have actually met /exceeded the requirements of inclusion and have reported progress against the indicators identified in the strategy. 80% of the UN entities are yet to consult OPDs as required under the strategy. In this kind of a scenario, it is important for the OPD networks at the national level to actively advocate for the implementation of the UNDIS and also to be consulted by the UN entities on issues that impact them.