(Courtesy Translation)
ROME, 5 JUNE – From 8 to 12 June 2025, the Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli will be in New York to participate in the 18th Annual Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations.
Italy’s mission to participate in the Conference will be kicked off by a concert of the inclusive musical group “Si può fare band”, that will be held on 9 June at 6:30 pm, at the entrance of the United Nations Headquarters.
On Tuesday June 10th, the opening day of the Conference Proceedings, Minister Locatelli will address the UN General Assembly plenary to illustrate the work that Italy is implementing also through its reform on disability.
On Wednesday June 11th, Italy will cohost two side events: “Recreational time, life time” and “The right to a full and participatory life”.
The first event, which will be held in Conference Room 12 of the UNHQ at 11, is co-sponsored by Japan, South Africa, Tunisia and the International Disability Alliance, and will have representatives of associations of people with disabilities and Third Sector Entities in attendance.
The second event, also organized by the Ministry for Disabilities, scheduled for 1:15 pm in the Delegate Dining room, will feature an interactive workshop, co-sponsored by the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the participation of Saudi Arabia and the European Disability Forum. The Minister Delegate for People with Disabilities of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Irene Esambo Diata, will also attend alongside representatives of associations of people with disabilities and Third Sector Entities, whose members will share demos of recreational and occupational activities like painting, artifacts, bookbinding and much more.
On June 12th, Minister Locatelli will participate in the side event organized by the League of Arab States in collaboration with Bahrain, Egypt and IDA on the theme: “Entrepreneurship and innovative finance, a support for empowering people with disabilities and enhancing social development policies”.
On the sidelines of the Conference, Minister Locatelli will meet numerous European and non-European countries in bilateral meetings.
“We intend to shine a light on autism, the DAMA model, the talents in Italian cuisine and on the crucial dimension of recreational time for persons with disabilities, that is, all the best practices pertaining to leisure time and work carried out in Italy to ensure that persons with disabilities can live independently”, explained the Minister. “Many associations and third sector entities will also share their experience and the extraordinary work they do every day, putting the Person at the center”.
