Sri Lanka successfully chaired the 19th session of the Conference of State Parties (CoSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 09 June 2026 in the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The 19th session of the COSP to the CRPD was held from 09-11 June 2026 under the overarching theme ‘CRPD at 20: celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world.
This event being the 20th Anniversary of the CRPD recorded the highest number of speakers for the General Debate in its history.
The Opening Session was attended by the Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres and the Under Secretary General of UN DESA Junhua.
Assuming the Presidency of the 19th session of the Conference of State Parties to the CRPD, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York Jayantha Jayasuriya, during the Opening Session stressed the importance of creating a world free from exploitation, violence and abuse of persons of disabilities. He also touched upon the achievements of the CRPD and how it has globally changed the perception of disability.
The UN Secretary General in his opening remarks articulated the need to prioritize persons of disabilities when addressing global challenges and urged governments to empower persons with disabilities as full partners in policymaking and decision making.
Ambassador Jayasuriya delivered the national statement of Sri Lanka for CoSP 19 highlighting the importance Sri Lanka attaches to the welfare of persons of disabilities and its commitment in realizing the scope of the CRPD.
Addressing the opening session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Sri Lanka’s Youth Representative Nilshani De Silva highlighted the important steps Sri Laka has taken to protect persons of disabilities. She also outlined the various measures undertaken by the Government for the welfare of disabled persons. Drawing on her lived experience as a person with Down Syndrome, she emphasized that the Convention represents a commitment to dignity, inclusion, equality, and opportunity for all persons with disabilities. De Silva also called for the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, particularly young people, in decision-making processes, stressing that their voices must be heard and represented in shaping policies and societies that affect their lives.
The 19th Conference of States Parties (COSP19) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities focused on three key thematic areas aimed at advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities worldwide. Discussions held through three high-level roundtables: creating a world free from exploitation, violence and abuse for all persons with disabilities; Building Resilient societies: strengthening care and support systems to ensure the empowerment, autonomy and independence of all persons with disabilities; and enhancing accessible civic engagement, leadership and advocacy in political and public life.
Following the Roundtable discussions, Ambassador Jayasuriya chaired an Interactive Dialogue among States parties, the United Nations Agencies, and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Convention.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York
17 June 2026