United Nations and the Government of Uzbekistan Launch Joint Programme on Rights of People with Disabilities

Promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals has been a key long-standing priority for the UN Country Team in delivering together in Uzbekistan.

In June 2021, Uzbekistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and reiterated its commitment to human rights and the importance of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the principles of the Convention, as well as the principle of Leaving No One Behind.

The newly launched programme will focus on following priority areas:

1. Strengthening disability mainstreaming within the implementing of country-level UN agencies’ activities to ensure that national development assessments, plans budgets, programmes and monitoring mechanism supported under the SDGs processes advance disability-inclusive development in Uzbekistan.
2. Consolidating the multi-stakeholder commitment to the achievement of CRPD-compliant SDGs through a robust legislative and policy framework, coordination structures, and meaningful participation of organizations with disabilities.
3. Development of accessible and inclusive person-centred and age-appropriate services in the community, aimed at supporting the autonomy and inclusion of children, women and men with disabilities in the society, and prevention of institutionalization, abuse and violence.

“Working directly with people with disabilities will build a sustainable, inclusive and transformative future where everyone can realize their potential and move to achieving the central promise of the 2030 Agenda: leaving no one behind,” highlighted Ms. Roli Asthana, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan.

“The Joint Programme lays an important foundation to address some immediate priorities for the domestication and the implementation of the CRPD,” said, Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “However, collective responsibility of all stakeholders to creating the requisite pre-conditions is required."

This joint programme worth $600.000 and will be implemented over the next two years.

The joint programme will be implemented in close coordination with the Government, particularly the Agency on Medical and Social Services under the Cabinet of Ministers, different ministries and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities.