Remarks at Annual Disability Policy Dialogue

Mr. Sengaloun Luangraj, Deputy General-Director, Department of Policy for Devotees, Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, National Committee for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

 Ms. Metta, Representative of the Organization of Persons with Disabilities

 Mr. Michael Ronning, USAID Country Representative

 Mr. Reinier, Country Director, Humanity and Inclusion

 Representatives from the Government, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and other civil society organizations

 Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning!

It is my privilege to deliver remarks at the 2024 Annual Disability Policy Dialogue, and I thank the organisers for inviting me to speak on behalf of the United Nations in Lao PDR. This is my first such policy dialogue since I took up my role in October last year, but I have already seen some vibrant campaigns and discussions promoting disability inclusion across many forums.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities for its tireless work in raising awareness and promoting action, and playing a crucial facilitating role vis-à-vis the Government, the OPD networks, development partners and civil society to sustain the focus on disability inclusion in our work. Indeed, persons with disabilities need concerted societal action to enable them to lead a life of dignity and independence.

An estimated 1.3 billion people experience a significant form of disability around the globe. Today, this is 16 percent of the world’s population. In Lao PDR, official census data from 2015 – almost 10 years ago – states overall prevalence of disability at 2.77 percent. A 2019 survey by the World Health Organisation indicates 23 percent of adults experiencing a severe form of disability, which means that Lao PDR has a higher than global average rate of persons with disabilities. Next year the national population and housing census will give us a more up-to-date figure.

These numbers are important because they tell a story. An analysis of the last census by the Lao Statistics Bureau showed that there was a strong correlation between poverty and disability in Lao PDR. Published as the Disability Monograph of Lao PDR, the analysis showed that from childhood to old age, persons with disabilities are much more vulnerable to a host of risks and deprivations. Ranging from limited access to basic services, education and employment, to facing stigma and discrimination, persons with disabilities struggle in their daily lives.

In this context, your discussion today on inclusive social protection systems is critical. I am pleased to see that the Government of Lao PDR is already taking important steps in this direction, especially in implementing the recommendations of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Last year, the NCPD drafted the National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the CRPD recommendations, which identified concrete actions to mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities into existing national social protection schemes. Its Article 28 prescribes the Government to provide social protection for persons with disabilities and their families for access to health, rehabilitation and assistive products and services.

I am also pleased to note that the Government is keen on developing a Disability Management Information System, and providing Disability ID Cards to eligible persons. These identification cards would enable access to social protection schemes, among other benefits.

On behalf of the United Nations agencies in Lao PDR, allow me to share with you a few concrete ways in which we are already supporting – and commit to continue supporting – disability inclusion in the country.

First, we are a proud partner in the implementation of CPRD recommendations. The UN supports initiatives around inclusive education, employment, cash transfer, counselling and inclusive workplaces, working closely with organizations of person with disabilities, embodied in the principles of ‘nothing about us without us’.

Second, several UN agencies work on different aspects of social protection – and I am pleased to see that these perspectives will be shared during the discussions today. Speaking for all of the UN in Laos, I would like to reassure you of our commitment to continue this dialogue, and to pursue the expertise necessary for a truly broad-based and inclusive social protection system that leaves no one behind.

Third, with 7 years to 2030, a key transition to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is jobs and social protection. This is a recognition of the power of social protection and jobs to unlock progress across multiple SDGs. Social protection is not only a welfare issue. It can have catalytic and multiplier effects for several goals, and augment work in gender, education, health and decent work to reduce poverty, inequalities and exclusion. I welcome collaboration with partners on this crucial issue, and encourage us to think of it as a solution rather than a problem.

I thank you, once again, and wish you all a productive dialogue. The UN in Lao PDR looks forward to continuing this important collaboration.