The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at UN Headquarters in New York City,  June 14, 2018.  (Photo: UN)

New York (People’s Daily) – At a side event during the United Nations’10th session for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),

China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ma Zhaoxu said during his address, “It is a glorious mission to help persons with disabilities gain equal rights and achieve inclusive development.”

The event marks a treaty protecting the rights of the disabled, and on Thursday, senior UN officials highlighted the role they continue to play and the invaluable contributions they have made so far to help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Today, there are over 1 billion people on the planet who have a disability, accounting for 15 percent of the total population. Meanwhile, twenty percent of the world’s poorest are disabled, with 80 percent of that figure residing in developing nations. 

"In the era of globalization, we must follow the principle of shared development through consultation and collaboration, strengthen international and regional cooperation, and work together to promote the development of the global cause of persons with disabilities.”

Ma called upon the UN and other international organizations to pay greater attention to reducing poverty and achieving their sustainable development goals while balancing civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a 15-year initiative that includes 17 distinct goals and 169 associated targets including education and employment for everyone.  

Today, China is home to some 85 million disabled, the highest population of physically challenged people in any nation. Ma feels it is Chinese society’s responsibility to guarantee equal opportunities for the disabled. 

In living up to this standard, China’s government-led system involves every level of society and uses mobilization efforts to tap available resources necessary to support its disabled population.  

Ma concluded his address by touching on last year’s historic address given by Chinese President Xi Jinping and said, “Xi pointed out in his report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that as China develops, it will continue to protect and improve people's livelihood, develop the cause of persons with disabilities, and strengthen rehabilitation services for disabilities.”