Secretary-General, in Video Message, Commends Asia-Pacific Region Countries on ‘Make the Right Real’ Initiative for Persons with Disabilities

Following is the text of UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon’s video message to the high-level event on “Equal Access, Inclusive Development for Persons with Disabilities”, in Beijing on 10 November:

Your Excellency Madame Peng Liyuan, distinguished spouses of leaders from Asia-Pacific economies, Your Excellency State Councillor Wang Yong, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for coming together for this high-level event to focus on equal access and inclusive development for persons with disabilities.

I congratulate the Government of China for its long leadership in this area – and the vital role of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.

These efforts were reinforced in 2012 when Asia-Pacific Member States adopted the world's first regional disability-inclusive development goals — the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.

Inclusion is critical to helping ensure that persons with disabilities can participate equally and contribute fully to their societies.

Exclusion, on the other hand, carries high economic and social costs.

I am pleased that disability issues are being integrated into the Asia-Pacific development agenda.  I count on your support for a disability-inclusive post-2015 sustainable development agenda.

Through your efforts, we can “Make the Right Real” for persons with disabilities in the APEC [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] region — and build a better world for all.