Madame President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Eastern European Group of States.
Let me start by thanking the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, Ambassador McKay on his tremendous efforts and clear guidance that led us on our way to reaching a consolidated text of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.
Allow me also to thank all States as well as all relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for giving their significant contribution to drafting and negotiating different issues of the Convention.
Your hard work and readiness to make compromise in order to reach a common goal is the reason why we have a consolidated text ready for adoption.
Madame President,
The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities is the first human rights treaty of the 21st century. That is why the Eastern European Group is pleased about the fact that this Convention has been drafted with unprecedented participation of civil society, particularly persons with disabilities and their organizations.
The Eastern European Group believes that this Convention will increase the level of inclusion of persons with disabilities in society, helping them to become more contributing members of their communities. It will also help us reach some of the Millennium Development Goals that we have committed ourselves.
Today, as we are about to adopt this significant Convention that means so much to millions of disabled persons and their families around the world, let us not forget that it is now equally important for the international community to continue with the process of signing, ratifying and implementing the Convention with the same persistence and dedication.
Madame President,
By adopting this Convention, we the members of the United Nations, are sending an important message to the world. We unanimously state that our countries are serious when dealing with human rights of persons with disabilities.
Let us remember that a level of civilization is often measured by the level of rights that are being given by world leaders to the weakest in their societies. The adoption of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities is definitely a step further on this level.
Thank you.
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