Madam Co-chair,

Distinguished Delegates,

I would like to thank the Missions of Slovenia, Guyana, Poland and UK for taking this initiative, honoring the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2475 (2019) on persons with disabilities in armed conflict.

It is a sobering fact to remind ourselves that persons with disabilities make up as much as one-third of the populations in areas affected by armed conflict.

We join the calls for greater attention for persons with disabilities who are disproportionately impacted by rising conflicts and complex humanitarian crises.

Madam Co-chair,

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) constitutes the basis of national disability policy of Türkiye.

A rights-based approach, inclusion policy, international cooperation, capacity building, strengthening public and civil society dialogue, data collection and statistics, monitoring and reporting, providing guidance on seeking legal remedies and reparation mechanisms constitute the main pillars of this policy.

Accordingly, the First National Action Plan on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, launched in 2023, is instrumental in the implementation of the 2030 Barrier-Free Vision Document.

Madam Co-chair,

Persons with disabilities and older persons are usually overlooked during risk reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery activities related to disasters, humanitarian emergencies, and armed conflict.

For that matter, it is important to develop all disaster and humanitarian emergency plans with an inclusive and participatory approach for persons with disabilities and older persons.

It is also essential to carry out information and planning activities prior to disasters and humanitarian emergencies, as well as reconstruction, resettlement, and rehabilitation activities following disasters, appropriately and in an accessible manner for the special needs of persons with disabilities.

The ongoing armed conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Sudan and elsewhere have led to the injury, displacement, and impairment of many people, resulting in an increased number of persons with disabilities.

These wars have caused both physical injuries and long-term psychological trauma, leading to a significant rise in the number of people requiring special care and assistance.

Many individuals who were already living with disabilities are now facing exacerbated challenges, while others have acquired new disabilities due to the conflict.

Therefore, we need to show greater attention and support for persons with disabilities in conflict zones and develop inclusive approaches to humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation.

In this context, we should also consider strengthening UN agencies dedicated to persons with disabilities, with a view to establishing a dedicated UN entity for this purpose.

Türkiye will continue to lead efforts for the betterment of the lives of persons with disabilities, especially in conflict and crisis situations.

I thank you.