Pacific Islands: Action on Improving the Lives of Persons with Disabilities

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- A theme study conducted for UN ESCAP has found disabled persons in Asia and the Pacific still face deep rooted stigmatization, despite this being the final year of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.

A two-day session of the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries, opening in Bangkok, tomorrow, Tuesday, 14 May, 2002, will highlight the participation of persons with disabilities in the region.

The delegates will examine progress in prioritizing and implementing the Decade Agenda for Action.

Various NGO's are also expected to attend. Among their representatives will be Mr Setareki S Macanawai, of Fiji, an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in the Pacific.

Recommendations from this session will be considered at a high-level governmental meeting in Japan later this year. It will review the achievements of the Decade goals and launch the Millennium Framework for Action towards Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region.

You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the seventh session of the Special Body, which will be opened by Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary, ESCAP at 0900 hours on Tuesday, 14 May 2002 in Room 3 of the United Nations Conference Centre. There will also be access to the delegates during a reception at 5:30 PM in the Public Foyer, UNCC.

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