Top > World > 2006 > September > 2006-09-02

UN Disabilities Panel Accepts Bangladesh Suggestions

The UN Ad-hoc Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has agreed to adopt a Convention after five years of intense negotiations at the UN Headquarters. The convention, a set of recommendations, is to support the world`s handicapped. The UN General assembly is now expected to formally adopt the convention during its 61st session that commences in September.

Two proposals from the Bangladeshis, one focusing on integrating the disability issue with sustainable development, and another focusing on including one`s family in awareness-raising activities for the disabled, were accepted by a consensus on the final day of the proceedings. The Ad-hoc Committee was chaired by Ambassador Don MacKay, of New Zealand.

"It is a huge step forward for world`s disabled, and I can say with some pride that Bangladesh was able to make an important contribution to the meeting`s success," said Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, who led the Bangladesh delegation to the conference. "We also took this opportunity to inform the world community of the various measures undertaken by Bangladesh handicapped persons," Mr. Chowdhury added.