Our work in Geneva and beyond

Persons with disabilities make up 16 per cent of the world’s population or approximately 1.3 billion people. Moreover, 80 per cent of persons with disabilities live in the Global South and are often some of the poorest in their communities. Persons with disabilities often experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes such as lower levels of employment, less education, poorer health, and higher poverty rates. 

Upholding the rights of people with disabilities is not only a moral imperative; it is a practical necessity if humankind is to overcome the many existential challenges it faces. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will require everyone’s active participation in developing and implementing innovative solutions. We cannot afford to leave 16 percent of the population out of the equation.

UNDP supports Member States in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and relevant sections of Agenda 2030 through transformational cross-sectoral work and by mainstreaming the principles of disability inclusion within its policy and programme work. 

UNDP’s disability inclusive disaster risk reduction work recognizes disability inclusion as a fundamental element in building resilient communities and honoring the commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ within the framework of the 2030 Agenda. Of particular importance in UNDP’s disability inclusive disaster risk reduction work is institutionalizing disability inclusion and ensuring the full and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, individually and through their representative organizations, while applying a human rights-based approach across all areas of UNDP's work. 

UNDP Geneva contributes to the global advocacy efforts on disability inclusion as a cornerstone of the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP Geneva does so by engaging in global policy dialogues, leading advocacy events and contributing to relevant partnerships that bring together Member States, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, Disability-focused Organizations, UN Agencies and other International Organizations in Geneva and beyond. UNDP Geneva is exploring synergies and opportunities for partnerships with organizations across the whole-of-society in Geneva and beyond to address remaining challenges for ensuring disability inclusive, resilient communities.