On 29 May 2013, Cambodia made an official declaration of its commitment to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities.
The declaration was made at the highest political level by H.E. Prime Minister Hun Sen, who personally attended the national event to officially launch the Convention and the Incheon Strategy for implementation in the new Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022. The event took place in the Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, with participation of approximately 800 people, including ministers, senior officials, diplomats, United Nations officials and persons with diverse disabilities in Cambodia.
This marked the first launch of the Incheon Strategy by an ESCAP member State after it was endorsed by all Governments of the ESCAP membership at its 69th Commission session on 1 May 2013.
Developed over two years in consultation with governments and civil society stakeholders, the Incheon Strategy provides the Asian and Pacific region, and the world, with the first set of regionally agreed disability-inclusive development goals – comprising 10 goals, 27 targets and 62 indicators.
Prior to the launch, the Government of Cambodia took significant steps. It ratified the Convention in December 2012. The Incheon Strategy was translated into Khmer and made available to a broader public. In addition, an extension was given to the National Disability Strategy Plan which would expire in December 2013. The new Strategy will span the period from 2014 to 2018 and include a national action plan to implement the Strategy.
On behalf of ESCAP, Nanda Krairiksh, Director of the Social Development Division, delivered a congratulatory statement in which she extended heartfelt appreciation to the Royal Government of Cambodia on its high-level commitment to the Convention and the Incheon Strategy.
The full text of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s speech is available at: http://cnv.org.kh/en/?p=3605