UN Resident Coordinator’s Remarks | United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Induction Training Worktop

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this important UNPRPD Induction Training Workshop which is part of the Inception Phase of the UNPRPD 4th Funding Call.

The latest funding call is an important opportunity to advance the implementation of the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities across the world.

And indeed, 2021 marks the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Globally, remarkable progress has been made in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in society and development.

Particularly, I would like to recognize  the Government of Zimbabwe for the adoption of a National Disability Policy, and for pushing forward the Disability Bill.

These are important measures that have o been put in place to facilitate the implementation of the Convention in Zimbabwe.  

The Government and the people of Zimbabwe continue to receive due recognition for the excellent work on disability Inclusion.

It is not surprising that the UN Zimbabwe has been selected to proceed to the Inception Phase following the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) in August 2020.

I wish congratulate in making this possible the UNPRPD, Organizations of Persons living with Disabilities and Government and other partners for the hard work and support on this achievement. Many of you here, including the Government, took part in the preliminary consultations last year.

The Inception Phase we are currently working on comprises of this Induction Workshop, the Situation Analysis and a fully-fledged Proposal.  The workshop is indeed an important milestone for Zimbabwe as we deliver on this phase. The Objectives of the training are to: 

• develop a common understanding of and familiarity with the CRPD and disability inclusive SDGs.
• deepen knowledge on the preconditions for disability inclusion required for inclusive policy making and programming; and
• develop an understanding of the cross-cutting approaches underpinning all UNPRPD joint programmes.  

This comprehensive 5-days training forms part of the project formulation process itself and will serve to strengthen the capacity of Stakeholders on CRPD principles approaches in all sectors.  

I am very happy to see also the multi-stakeholder dimension participation of this workshop as that lies at the heart of the CRPD Principles.  

I am also happy to note the significant role that Organizations of Persons with Disabilities  are playing as Co-Facilitators and leads in this Training- it is a unique opportunity to benefit from your expertise and experiences.  

It is encouraging to note that the Situation Analysis of Disability Inclusion for the Inception Phase is also in its final stages, aimed at providing up-to-date information on and about persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe. 

Findings from the Situation Analysis Report will inform the formulation of the Proposal, as well as the UN’s and the Government’s programming on disability Inclusion. 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits to “leave no one behind.’’ As the UN in Zimbabwe, we pledge our continued support to Government, Organizations of Peoples with Disabilities and all people with disabilities to achieve the commitments made in the CRPD and SDGs.

It is our commitment as the United Nations to create an enabling environment by, for and with persons with disabilities in all spheres of society in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

We will continue to support legal and policy reforms, coordination, data management, fighting stigma, and intersectional discrimination, and support inclusive COVID-19 response and recovery in line with the CRPD.

I want to congratulate you all for being part of this important process, and for your contributions. Through the strong UN collaboration with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, Government, and other partners, I have no doubt that this process will culminate with positive results.  

I wish you a successful Induction Workshop and wish you fruitful engagements and learnings.