[PDFlist] FW: Commonwealth Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

[Samuela Radakua]

Dear Esteemed Colleagues and Heads of OPDs,

Greetings and bula vinaka from your regional secretariat in Suva.

There are eleven Commonwealth Countries in the Pacific.  As we prepare for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, it is vital that we collaborate to advocate for disability equity and rights within CHOGM processes.   While the Commonwealth has historically championed equality and human rights, there remains a significant need to ensure disability equity, inclusion, and voice.

The Pacific Disability Forum is supporting the Commonwealth Disabled People's Forum and calling for a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) as an addendum to the Communique at CHOGM 2024.  While CHOGM communiques in 2018 and 2022 have mentioned the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), its implementation and challenging stigma, there has been no significant efforts to advance the disability rights agenda throughout the Commonwealth.

The Disability Inclusive Action Plan would serve as a comprehensive framework to ensure that persons with disabilities are actively included in discussions, decisions, and actions undertaken by Commonwealth member states.
The DIAP would outline specific guidelines and measurable outcomes, ensuring member states are held accountable for implementing policies that promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Additionally, it would facilitate monitoring mechanisms to track progress and adherence to international standards, including the CRPD and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

We strongly encourage Pacific OPDs to proactively engage with your respective Governments to recognize the significance of advocating for the DIAP during discussions at CHOGM 2024. By advocating for the inclusion of this action plan in the Communiqué, we can collectively foster commitments that lead to meaningful improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities across Pacific Commonwealth nations.
Let us unite in our advocacy for change. The adoption of a Disability Inclusion Action Plan at CHOGM 2024 presents a significant opportunity to amplify our collective voice and create lasting impacts on policies affecting millions worldwide. We encourage you to take immediate action by reaching out to your respective ministries and urging them to prioritize this critical issue.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to achieving disability equity, equality, and inclusion for all persons with disabilities in our Pacific Commonwealth Countries.

For more information on the DIAP, you may follow the link: https://commonwealthdpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/THE-COMMONWEALTH-DISABILITY-INCLUSION-ACTION-PLAN-3rd-Draft.docx or open the attached word document.

Kind Regards,

Sainimili Tawake

Chief Executive Officer
Pacific Disability Forum
Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade
GPO Box 18458, Suva, Fiji

Tel: +679 331 2008; +679 773 0200
Mob: +679 8990 130
Email: Sainimili.Tawake at pacificdisability.org<mailto:Sainimili.Tawake at pacificdisability.org>
Web: www.pacificdisability.org<http://www.pacificdisability.org/>
Facebook: Pacific Disability Forum<https://www.facebook.com/PacificDisabilityForum/>
Twitter: @pdfsec
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