Permanent Mission of India
New York
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General Debate

CRPD at 20: Celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in changing world

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative
10 June 2026

Chair,

My delegation is pleased to take part in the 19^th session of the Conference of State Parties as we observe 20 years of adoption of the Convention. India ratified the convention in 2007 and our journey since then has been guided by the principles of dignity, equality, accessibility, non-discrimination and full participation. Our national approach has steadily moved from welfare to rights, from protection to participation, and from service delivery to empowerment.

2. A major milestone in this direction was the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in 2016. The Act increased the number of recognized categories of disabilities from 7 to 21, strengthened guarantees relating to equality, non-discrimination, education, employment and accessibility, provided for reservation of persons with disabilities in higher education and government employment and built an institutional architecture to implement these guarantees by establishing the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Chair,

3. India's disability inclusion approach is guided by a twin-track strategy: targeted disability-specific support on one hand, and mainstreaming disability inclusion across sectors such as education, employment, health, transport, digital governance and social protection on the other.

4. Towards this end, India is piloting a landmark model to advance inclusive development for persons with disabilities through partnership with the "Coalition of the Willing" — a consortium of organizations and community leaders with expertise spanning technology, education, accessibility and social empowerment. The collaboration aims to generate awareness, strengthen access to assistive technologies, early identification, educational support, skill development, employment, scholarships, sustainable livelihoods and strengthen Indian Sign Language content. Designed for replication across other disability categories, the pilot is expected to transform the lives of an estimated 18 million persons with hearing impairment in India.

5. To strengthen digital access and independent living, India has also launched the Unique Disability ID (UDID) project — a centralized national platform for disability certificates and UDID cards. The Divyang Sahara Yojana, aims to establish modern Assistive Technology Marts – modern, retail-like physical hubs where beneficiaries can test, see, and select products, and Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendras, which serve as resource hubs for consultation, vocational training, skill development and community engagement, beyond rehabilitation services alone.

6. India recognizes that the next phase of CRPD implementation must respond to a changing world. Our priorities include strengthening universal accessibility, expanding access to affordable assistive technology, improving early identification & intervention, enhancing inclusive education, skilling, employment & entrepreneurship opportunities, as well as strengthening data systems for evidence- based policy.

7. As we mark twenty years of the CRPD, India remains steadfast in its commitment to the Convention and an inclusive future, guided by the principle of leaving no one behind.

Thank you.