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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">Dear Esteemed Colleagues and Heads of OPDs,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">Greetings and bula vinaka from your regional secretariat in Suva.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt">,</span><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">
and voice. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">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).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">Thank you for your unwavering commitment to achieving disability equity, equality, and inclusion for all persons with disabilities in our Pacific Commonwealth Countries.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ" style="font-size:12.0pt">For more information on the DIAP, you may follow the link:
<a href="https://commonwealthdpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/THE-COMMONWEALTH-DISABILITY-INCLUSION-ACTION-PLAN-3rd-Draft.docx">
https://commonwealthdpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/THE-COMMONWEALTH-DISABILITY-INCLUSION-ACTION-PLAN-3rd-Draft.docx</a> or open the attached word document.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Kind Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Sainimili Tawake<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Chief Executive Officer</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Pacific Disability Forum</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">GPO Box 18458, Suva, Fiji
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Tel: +679 331 2008; +679 773 0200</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Mob: +679 8990 130</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Email:
</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><a href="mailto:Sainimili.Tawake@pacificdisability.org"><span style="color:#0563C1">Sainimili.Tawake@pacificdisability.org</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Web:
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><a href="http://www.pacificdisability.org/"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">www.pacificdisability.org</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Facebook:
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PacificDisabilityForum/"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">Pacific
Disability Forum</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">Twitter: @pdfsec</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><img border="0" width="276" height="139" style="width:2.875in;height:1.4513in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01DB1FDB.CAF00CB0" alt="A picture containing text
Description automatically generated"></span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee(s).
If you <b>are</b> not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it, including any attachments. If you receive this email in error please notify the sender immediately</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Abadi Extra Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:#2000"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-FJ"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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