DILI, 12 June 2025 (TATOLI) — Vice Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, represented Timor-Leste at the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP18) to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from June 10 to 12, 2025.
During the conference, Timor-Leste shared its efforts to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and strengthened cooperation with countries and organizations working to promote inclusion.
In her address during the opening session, Vice Minister Brites highlighted Timor-Leste’s commitment to disability rights since ratifying the Convention in January 2023. She emphasized the country’s progress in promoting social justice and equality for persons with disabilities, and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to creating a more inclusive society.
This year’s theme focuses on enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities in the lead-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development. Key topics include innovative financing for empowerment, artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for inclusivity, and recognizing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities.
Interactive Dialogue among States parties, the United Nations system and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Convention (item 5 c), chaired by President of the Conference, Sri Lanka.
Vice Minister Brites, who led the delegation, was accompanied by her team, the Director of the National Directorate for the Promotion of Persons with Disabilities, and other officials from the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion.
The delegation was supported by the Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the United Nations, Dionísio Babo Soares, Deputy Ambassador Jesuíno de Oliveira Alves, and Advisor Licínio M. Branco.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
