Statement at the Opening Ceremony

Regional Preparatory Meeting for the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012

MS.Hyun Mi Cha
Director, Division of Rights Promotion for Persons with Disabilities,
Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul

14 March 2012, Bangkok

Thank you Madame Chair.

It is honor for me to deliver this speech on behalf of the Korean Government.

First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Madam Nanda Krairiksh as well as ESCAP staff members for organizing this three day preparatory meeting.

I also would like to extend my thanks to all the participants including the representatives of state members, DPOs, and other stakeholders.

Distinguished delegates and Ladies adn Gentleman!

During the last 2 decades, the right of persons with disabilities in Asia-Pacific region has significantly improved over the years despite numerous socio-economic and political challenges.

Since the first Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled People was launched in Beijing, governments in the region have made their endeavors for the promotion of full participation and equality of persons with disabilities with and improvement of their lives.

UNESCAP, throughout the 2 decades, also provided numerous technical advisory services to organizations of disabled persons and promoted the exchange of good practices among Governments, NGOs and self-help organizations through regional and subregional meetings, seminars and workshops for the Decades.

Despite the fact that the great achievements and improvements have been witnessed in many member states, persons with disabilities in Asia Pacific region still face difficulties in their daily lives. In reality, substantial numbers of people with disabilities in the region face obstacles at every turn in their lives. They still have poorer health, lower educational achievements, fewer economic opportunities, and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities.

Distinguished Guests!

This grave situation reminds all of us that it remains our duty to mainstream issued of disabilities, and to fully implement disability related policies in all aspects of our lives. That is why those effort and commitment should not be finalized, and it is our inevitable duty to pursue the New Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled People in the coming years.

In this regard, this preparatory meeting has a great significance in that, as a part of the duty, we commit ourselves to build on the successes we have made and we commit ourselves to continue our efforts for the next decade.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For the last decades, Korea has made a seamless efforts including ratifying the CRPD, coming up with policy measures for persons with disabilities and enacting relevant laws.

And while Korean government have been actively engaged in the promotion of the right of persons with disabilities for that period at a national level, we realized that it is a time for us to extend our effort to Asia-Pacific region and strenghen regional cooperation on these matters.

After close consultations with Korean DPOs, Korean government plans to take an active role in new Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled People. During past several months, Korean government has worked together with ESCAP secretariats as well as Korea NGOs to develop more feasible and substantial strategy for the Make the Rights Real decade.

In order to tackle the unmet challenges which have been revealed from the last two decades, we need new ideas that can promote effort and commitment from all stakeholders. It is my sincere hope that this meeting would be an occasion where creative ideas would be exchanged and shared in establishing a New Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with disabilities.

Distinguished guests!

As a representative of the host country of the High-level Intergovernmental Meettig which will be held on October, 29th to November, 1st, in Incheon Songdo, I would like to let you know Korean government is continuously coordinating with ESCAP secretariats in order to make coming meeting as successful as we can. We will complete all the preparations for all the necessary conditions including facilities, security, accommodation and transportation before the events through the close consultation with Incheon Metropolitan city government.

Also with the UNESCAP High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to be hosted by the government of Korea, several international event of DPOs will also be held in Korea with an expectation of sharing diverse information and promoting mutual exchange among a variety of international NGOs of persons with disabilities. Asia Pacific Disabled People’s Assembly will be held from October 24 to 27, 2012 Asia-Pacific Disability Forum Conference from October 26 to 20, 2012 Rehabilitation International World Congress from October 29 to November 2. Korean government has worked together with NGOs for the arrangement of these big events for persons with disability, and will continue our support so that these international events for persons with disability would be held in smooth and harmonized ways along with High-level Intergovernmental Meeting.

I would like to invite all of you to Incheon, Republic of Korea where we will announce our new Make the Right Real Decade. It would be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our effort and achievement for last decades and to renew our commitment to new decade.

I also want to make note that your unwavering support and continuous interest are the most important factors that make the October High Level Intergovernmental Meeting and 3 DPO's international events successful.

Once again, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for Madam Nanda Krairiksh and ESCAP Secretariats. Thank you very much.