At the 18th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York, Deputy United Nations Secretary‑General Amina Mohammed delivered a powerful opening message: disability rights are non‑negotiable—they are fundamental human rights.
Deputy Secretary‑General Mohammed reminded attendees that advancing equality and opportunities for persons with disabilities is not only wise—it strengthens communities, economies, and is central to the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.
Highlighting alarming trends, she noted that nearly all Sustainable Development Goal indicators for persons with disabilities are falling behind—signaling increased poverty, unemployment, and unequal access to education, health, and technology.She urged immediate action—targeted financing through microfinance, social impact bonds, and public–private partnerships—to close the gap.
Mohammed also stressed the transformative power—and peril—of artificial intelligence. While AI has enormous potential to support inclusion through speech recognition, real-time captioning, and accessible navigation, she warned that without safeguards, biases in algorithms could perpetuate exclusion.
Moreover, she brought attention to the intersectional marginalization of Indigenous persons with disabilities, who face compounded barriers in accessing education, income, justice, and protection from violence. At a time when global conflict and crises are deepening inequalities, Mohammed’s message was crystal clear: “Rights are not optional. They are universal, non-negotiable, and belong to all.”
