I. Objective
The objective of the Working Group on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023–2032, is to provide technical advice and support to members and associate members of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) for the full and effective implementation of the Jakarta Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023–2032.*
II. Functions
In pursuance of the objective stated in paragraph 1 above, the Working Group shall advise ESCAP members and associate members on the following: (a) Ways and means to promote the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023–2032, at the regional, subregional and national levels to increase its visibility and influence; (b) Technical issues pertaining to the six priority areas of accelerated actions identified in the Jakarta Declaration; (c) Regional and subregional cooperation to advance the implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023–2032; (d) Multi-stakeholder collaboration and partnerships among governments, organizations of persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to advance disability-inclusive development at the regional, subregional and national levels; (e) Reviews of progress concerning the implementation of the Jakarta Declaration.
The Working Group shall advise the ESCAP secretariat on how to effectively implement the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy, including by: (a) Improving the accessibility of ESCAP premises and facilities; (b) Strengthening disability inclusion in the core programmes of work and operations of ESCAP.
III. Membership
The Working Group shall be composed of representatives of ESCAP members and associate members and civil society organizations, in particular organizations of persons with disabilities operating at the regional and subregional levels in the Asia-Pacific region. ESCAP members and associate members and civil society organizations admitted as members of the Working Group shall designate one individual as their representative. Members of the Working Group shall promptly notify the ESCAP secretariat of any changes in their nominated representative.
The tenure of members of the working group shall start from the date of the endorsement of the working group membership by the Commission and expire by the end of the year 2032. The membership of the Working Group shall be reviewed and updated, as necessary, at the midpoint review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023–2032, in 2027.
The tenure of members of the Working Group shall start from the date of the endorsement of the Working Group membership by the Commission and expire by the end of 2032. The membership of the Working Group shall be reviewed and updated, as necessary, at the midpoint review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023–2032, in 2027.
Expressions of interest by individual ESCAP members and associate members shall be submitted in writing to the ESCAP secretariat through the established official communication channel, namely through the designated seat of government or permanent representative.
The Working Group shall comprise no fewer than 10 members and associate members of ESCAP.
As a general principle, the Working Group should be composed of an equal number of government and civil society representatives.
Among the civil society organizations represented in the Working Group, at least half of the seats shall be allocated to persons with disabilities and their representative organizations. Organizations of and for women with disabilities are particularly encouraged to submit expressions of interest. In the constitution of the Working Group, due attention shall be given to ensuring the representation of persons with diverse disabilities and a balance across subregions.
A civil society organization that meets the following core criteria shall be eligible to be considered for selection as a member of the Working Group: (a) It must operate at the regional or subregional levels in Asia and the Pacific; (b) It must be an organization or network that represents, supports or promotes the interests of persons with diverse disabilities; (c) It must have technical expertise relevant to advancing one or more of the six priority areas identified in the Jakarta Declaration.
Expressions of interest by civil society organizations shall be submitted to the ESCAP secretariat in writing.
The proposed composition of the Working Group shall be submitted to the Commission at its eightieth session, in 2024, for endorsement. In the event of any changes to the composition of the Working Group at the midpoint review in 2027, the updated composition of the Working Group shall be ESCAP/80/6 B24-00021 13 submitted to the Commission at its eighty-fourth session, in 2028, for endorsement.
IV. Observers
United Nations entities, subregional organizations, development partners, business associations and networks and other stakeholders that have expertise or initiatives dedicated to disability inclusion in the Asia-Pacific region may be invited to participate in the Working Group as observers.
Observers may provide advice and support on knowledge generation, collaboration and partnerships pertaining to one or more of the six priority areas identified in the Jakarta Declaration. They may observe meetings of the Working Group by invitation.
V. Rules of procedure
The working group shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
VI. Secretariat
The ESCAP secretariat shall serve as the secretariat of the Working Group. In that capacity, it shall, among other things, disseminate Working Group documentation in accessible formats, in English only.