Ávarp á alþjóðlegri ráðstefnu um málefni fatlaðs fólks

Global Disability Summit 2022

Myndbandsávarp á alþjóðlegri ráðstefnu um málefni fatlaðs fólks
Osló, Noregi

16. febrúar 2022.

Ávarp utanríkisráðherra

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my appreciation to Norway, Ghana, and the International Disability Alliance for convening this second Global Disability Summit.

Realizing the Summit’s objective of achieving real change for persons with disabilities, couldn´t be more relevant – particularly now, as we are seeing how those with disabilities have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Excellencies,

The protection and promotion of human rights is a central pillar of Iceland‘s foreign policy and we are fully committed to the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), both at home and abroad.

This is reflected in a human-rights based approach to our development and humanitarian efforts, which recognizes the critical importance of disability inclusion and promoting the rights of people with disabilities.

In our partner countries, Malawi and Uganda, for example, we partner with local authorities, civil society, parents, teachers, and – importantly – children themselves, to ensure that all children have equal access to learning opportunities. Inclusivity is also a central theme in our engagement with Iceland’s main multilateral partners in this area.

Excellencies,

Gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls with disabilities is crucial if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We were therefore very pleased to see gender put as a cross-cutting theme for the commitments being made at this Summit.

Promoting gender equality is a critical priority in Iceland’s development efforts. In Sierra Leone, for example, we are supporting a transformative program focused on universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, a program which will include focus on women and girls with disabilities.

We also strongly believe that local ownership and locally led solutions are central for achieving sustainability and impact. We therefore aim to increase our collaboration with civil society organizations in support of associations for persons with disabilities in the Global South.

We hope that collaborative action can contribute to the 2030 Agenda’s core promise of leaving no one behind – which is so critical as we work together towards a more prosperous, equal, and just world.

I thank you.