Human Rights Council – 61st Session
Annual Panel Debate on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 
Joint Statement by Dominican Republic on behalf of a group of countries
6 March 2026

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of a group of countries.

We welcome the focus of this year’s annual debate on disability-inclusive infrastructure, including transport and housing, as essential elements for ensuring autonomy, dignity and the full participation of persons with disabilities in society. 

Accessible infrastructure is not only a technical matter; it is a human rights obligation under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, one of the most widely ratified human rights treaties of the United Nations, adopted in 2006 and which this year marks nearly two decades of advancing global commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities.

Its near-universal ratification reflects a clear international consensus: accessibility is not optional, but a prerequisite for the full and equal enjoyment of human rights. and a key component of inclusive and sustainable societies.

At the same time, as we discuss accessibility globally, we must also ensure accessibility within our own multilateral processes.

The meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in the work of this Council requires that accessibility be fully guaranteed. This includes physical access to meeting spaces, functioning infrastructure, as well as the availability of sign language interpretation, captioning and accessible formats.

In the context of current financial constraints, it is essential that accessibility measures remain protected and prioritized. These measures are not optional services; they are necessary conditions for equal participation and for the credibility of our commitment to inclusion.

If we truly aim to leave no one behind, we must ensure that persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally in the deliberations of this Council and across the United Nations system.

We therefore call on all member states and on the secretariat to work together to find solutions and to continue strengthening  accessibility and inclusion in our work, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not only represented, but meaningfully included.

Thank you.