During the meeting with the UN GA president-elect, H.E. Professor Bande, Mme. Haidi extended her sincere congratulations on winning the election of the presidency of the next UN GA and said that RI applaud Prof. Bande for making poverty, education, and inclusion top priorities of his presidency. Mme. Haidi said that “UN instruments are very important tools for bringing the world forward for persons with disabilities. RI has the capacity to provide knowledge, experience through its global network of DPOs, professionals, experts, service providers and a multitude of other partners, to address gaps identified by the UN in achieving full inclusion and the enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities.”
Mme. Haidi said that RI took recently a new dimension by launching the Global Disability Development Fund (GDDF) and Africa Fund (AF) aimed to provide financial support to jumpstart initiatives for the empowerment of grassroots persons with disabilities. Mme. Haidi said that RI pays special attentions to the rights and inclusions of women with disabilities: “We give special attention to initiatives that build the capacities of women and children with disabilities in mostly rural areas.”
Prof. Bandy thanked Mme. Haidi for all the work that has been done in promoting the rights and inclusions of people with disability worldwide. He said that after assuming the presidency of UN GA, he will continue to focus on promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and that he looks forward to more extensive and in-depth cooperation with RI in this area.
Prof. Bande spoke highly of RI’s efforts in safeguarding the rights and interests of persons with disabilities, and appreciated Mdm Zhang’s achievements in promoting international disability cause. He believed that RI’s two funds will benefit more and more persons with disabilities in the international community. He said that after assuming the presidency of UNGA, he would continue to focus on promoting inclusive development. He looks forward to more extensive and in-depth cooperation with RI in disability field, and promoting the protection of the rights and interests of persons with disabilities, and the development of the cause of the disabled.
