New York— The Sultanate of Oman participated in the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which took place from June 10 to 12 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Oman's delegation to the conference was led by Ambassador Omar Said Al Kathiri, Oman's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, and included officials from the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs.
In a speech delivered by Badr Fareesh Al Yahyaee, Assistant Director-General of the Ministry of Social Development's for Persons with Disabilities, Oman emphasized the government's comprehensive efforts to support and empower people with disabilities in all areas. These initiatives are consistent with the requirements of the State's Basic Law, relevant national legislation, Oman Vision 2040, and the country's obligations under international treaties and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
Oman's address also highlighted significant achievements in the care and empowerment of persons with disabilities, such as the proposed law on the rights of persons with disabilities, which was created in accordance with the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Other milestones include the creation of a comprehensive national guide for engineering standards and specifications for inclusive urban environments and accessible transportation, as well as the organization of the first National Forum for Persons with Disabilities in 2023, whose results established the groundwork for a dedicated lab to improve services and programs for persons with disabilities.
The Sultanate of Oman emphasized the need of increasing public awareness about the rights of individuals with disabilities as a shared duty, with active participation from individuals with disabilities themselves. It also emphasized the importance of coordinated visions among all member nations in order to create an accessible, barrier-free environment that meets their aims.
