Disability Inclusion in the Pact for the Future

At the Summit of the Future, held on September 22 and 23, the Heads of State and Governments representing the global community adopted a transformative outcome document, specifically titled the Pact for the Future. This landmark agreement is designed to steer the trajectory of international human development, focusing on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that no one is left behind (NOLB). The document outlines 56 critical actions across five sections to implement the 2030 Agenda. The main text has two annexes: Annex I: Global Digital Compact and Annex II: Declaration on Future Generations.

A central question arises however: Does the Pact for the Future embrace a disability-inclusive agenda?

The preamble of the Pact for the Future reaffirms the unwavering commitment of world leaders to promote a more inclusive and just society. This commitment, woven throughout the document, instils optimism for a future where no one is excluded. Disability inclusion is notably emphasised in several critical sections, further underscoring this dedication.

Key actions related to disability inclusion are as follows:

• Action 14 under Section 1: International Peace and Security calls for intensified efforts to protect persons with disabilities in situations of armed conflict. It highlights the disproportionate impact of violence on vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with disabilities, during war and conflict.
• Action 30 under Section 3: Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Cooperation emphasises the use of innovative technologies to promote equity for persons with disabilities. This includes advancing the availability of assistive technologies to empower these individuals.
• In the Youth and Future Generations section, Action 35(d) reaffirms the importance of removing barriers to ensure that young persons with disabilities can fully enjoy their independence, autonomy, and participation in all aspects of society.
• Action 36, also in the Youth and Future Generations section, pledges to enhance the meaningful participation of youth with disabilities in policymaking, decision-making, and politics at the national level.
• Action 45 under Section 5: Transforming Global Governance emphasises the need for disability inclusion and accessibility to ensure greater participation of people with disabilities in shaping the transformation of the United Nations and its work.

The annexed Global Digital Compact also integrates disability inclusion across multiple areas:

• Article 8(C) stresses the need for international cooperation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
• Article 13(b) commits states to achieve SDGs 4 (quality education) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) by increasing the availability, accessibility, and affordability of digital technologies, services, and educational materials in diverse languages and accessible formats for persons with disabilities by 2030.
• Article 13(c) addresses SDGs 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 by promoting capacity-building for persons with disabilities in the context of digital advancement.
• Article 32(d), referencing SDG 3 (good health and well-being), commits to ensuring digital trust and safety, particularly for children with disabilities.

Finally, the Declaration on Future Generations reaffirms the importance of ensuring no one is left behind, including disabled people. It pledges to guarantee our full and equal participation in society, both in the present and in the future, and to ensure they have a voice in decision-making processes.

These achievements result from the continued advocacy of the global disability movement, the efforts of SDG alliances and movements for inclusivity, and the commitment of international development partners to ensure inclusive development. CBM Ireland, as a member of CBM Global, has played an active role in this process.

In Ireland, we have collaborated with our SDG Civil Society alliance, Coalition2030. At the same time, at the global level, we have worked with allies and partners to amplify the voices of disabled people and their representative organisations (DPOs/OPDs) throughout the process.

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At the centre of this process is the dynamic of Disability Inclusion which is inspired by Disability Equality and Disability Equality is the spirit of the UNCRPD. In Disability Equality we see disability and impairments not as a form of tragedy or limitation but instead disability is seen in terms of other paradigms of difference and diversity. Disability is part of the human experience and can complement other identities, and, primarily, the barriers and predicaments that disabled people face are societal, cultural and political. Disability inclusion is supporting disabled people, and their organisations bring meaningful engagement to the table and being the conduit of authentic agency. At CBM Ireland and CBM Global this is what we strive for – not to present or direct the Disability Movement but to support and facilitate meaningful, continuous disability inclusion. This is where we can perhaps find new ways to engage, co-create and co-implement our shared future together.

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We hope that international actors, development partners, and governments will recommit to international cooperation, reaffirm their respect for international law, and seize the opportunities presented by the Pact for the Future. Using the Pact as a foundation, we call for a renewed focus on collective action and investment to address inequalities, poverty, conflict, and the climate crisis in an interconnected world, ensuring a liveable planet for all, now and future generations.

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Mahbub Kabir and James Casey