[PDF-fullMembers] Independent Review of the Pacific Regional Framework on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PFRPD) Now Underway

[Shweta Vandana]

Dear Members,

Warm greetings,

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has commissioned an independent review of the Pacific Regional Framework on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PFRPD)  which has commenced this month and will be ongoing until November 2025.

Background:
The PFRPD was endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2016 and is the only regional policy framework on disability inclusion.  The Framework contextualises the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to the Pacific and connects related international commitments to national level action. Further, it also provides a platform to support persons with disabilities through their representative organisations (OPDs), in line with the key CRPD principle of 'Nothing about us without us.'

Review:
The conclusion of the PFRPD this year provides an important opportunity to review the progress of disability inclusion in the region, and to identify opportunities to strengthen national efforts, and regional cooperation, that reflects the development context and aligns the next iteration of the Framework to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent (2050 Strategy).
The Review will take place in two phases: Phase one (Review) will comprise of a desktop review, interviews, and consultations, to evaluate the effectiveness, relevance, and impact of the PFRPD. Phase 2 (Realignment) will focus on the development of the next iteration of the Framework, aligned to the 2050 Strategy. The Secretariat worked with the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) in the planning and coordination of this Review, and this will continue throughout the review process. It is anticipated that the review will be completed by the end of November 2025. PIFS has worked with the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) in the planning and coordination of this Review, and this will continue throughout the review process.

Review Team:
In support of an objective review of the PFRPD and its related activities, the Secretariat has engaged an independent team from CBM Australia to undertake this work. The team, comprising of Tamara Jolly (Head of Pacific Impact), Setareki Macanawai (Disability Inclusion Specialist), Simione Bula (Pacific Program Coordinator, Pacific Impact), and Lucy Daniel (Senior Advisor, Inclusion Advisory Group). The team will be reaching out to stakeholders to request for survey feedback and/or to arrange hybrid consultations as part of Phase One of the Review.

Appreciate your usual support for the review process and engagement with the review team.  Please do not hesitate to contact the PIFS social policy team for any questions:  social_policy at forumsec.org<mailto:social_policy at forumsec.org>

Kind regards.


Shweta Vandana | Public Relations and Communications Officer

Pacific Disability Forum
Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade | GPO Box 18458, Suva, Fiji |
Tel: +679 331 2008 | Mob: +679 899 0134 |
Email: shweta.vandana at pacificdisability.org<mailto:shweta.vandana at pacificdisability.org> | Website: www.pacificdisability.org<http://www.pacificdisability.org/>

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