Cyprus participates in the 19th UN Conference on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On June 11, 2026, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Klea Papaellina represented Cyprus at the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties (CoSP19) to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York. The event, which began on June 9, 2026, focused on advancing accessibility and implementing the European Disability Strategy. During the session, Papaellina co-chaired a high-level breakfast meeting with European Commission representative Ana Carla Pereira to discuss EU-level policy strategies. The Cypriot official emphasized the necessity of adhering to the Convention as a democratic imperative and a legal obligation. She also highlighted Cyprus's collaboration with representative organizations for persons with disabilities to reform national policies. Furthermore, the delegation showcased initiatives developed under the current Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union. These discussions also marked the 20th anniversary since the initial adoption of the UN Convention.