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

The 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CoSP19) began on June 9, 2026, in New York. Cyprus Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Klea Papaellina, attended the conference to represent the country during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Papaellina co-chaired a high-level breakfast with Ana Carla Pereira, Director of Equality and Non-Discrimination at the European Commission, focusing on the implementation of the updated European Disability Strategy. Discussions centered on increasing autonomy, social inclusion, and supported decision-making processes for people with disabilities. During a separate EU event marking the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention, the Deputy Minister highlighted Cyprus's collaborative efforts with representative organizations for disabled individuals. The Cypriot delegation presented specific national practices and contributions toward shaping legislative reforms. These initiatives underscore the current focus of the Cypriot Presidency on human rights and accessibility standards.