Diplomacy and Disability

Background

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)which was adopted in 2006 and entered into force in 2008 is the cornerstone of diplomacy about combating discrimination against persons with disabilities. Since signing the CRPD in 2011, the European Union has implemented numerous measures to ensure equal rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities. These include: funding initiatives to promote inclusion in social life, employment, education, health, and culture and collaboration with NGOs to develop inclusive policies, collect accurate data, and raise awareness about disability issues.

With this information report the EESC explores the intersection of diplomacy, human rights, and the empowerment of persons with disabilities. The report is a call to action for policymakers, diplomats, and civil society to work together in advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. By building on the CRPD and fostering international cooperation, the EU can continue to lead by example in the global movement for disability rights.

In this information report the EESC:

• urges the European Commission to adopt comprehensive action plans on all forms of disability, similar to those for youth and gender equality;
• recommends closer cooperation with disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) in both international cooperation and EU humanitarian work, to enhance the effectiveness of disability diplomacy;
• suggests that every diplomatic delegation involved in disability-related agreements should include at least one DPO representative at UN meetings. The aim is to formally designate disability focal points in each diplomatic delegation.

Additional Information

EESC section: External Relations (REX)

Opinion number: REX/-602 EESC-2025

Opinion type: Information Report

Rapporteur: BARBIERI Pietro Vittorio, Civil Society Organisations' Group - GR III, Italy

Date of adoption by the section: 9 September 2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 21-23 October 2025

Result of the vote in plenary: 207 in favour/3 against/1 abstentions

Contact

Millie Tsoumani

Press Officer, Email: amalia.tsoumani@eesc.europa.eu

Sabrina Tesoka 

Policy Officer, Email: Sabrina.Tesoka@eesc.europa.eu