The Conference of State Parties is an annual event organised by the United Nations. During the Conference, participants discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Participants include representatives of the State Parties (countries and regional organisations that ratified the Convention), civil society organisations (such as organisations of persons with disabilities) and disability rights experts (such as the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities and academics).

The 18th session of the Conference of State Parties to the UN CRPD (COSP17) will take place from 10-12 June 2025 in New York. The overarching theme is “Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the World Social Summit.

Three subthemes:

• Sub-theme 1: Empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing social development policies through innovative financing.
• Sub theme 2: Leaving no one behind: using AI as a tool for supporting inclusivity to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities.
• Sub theme 3: Recognising and addressing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion.

We prepared guidance to help our members and organisations of persons with disabilities effectively participate in the 18^th Session of the UN Conference of States Parties (COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). 

The document provides practical details on funding opportunities, registration requirements, accessibility services, and ways for OPDs to engage through speaking opportunities, written statements, side events, networking, and social media. It also includes a template letter for seeking government funding.

Download the Guide

• The UN Conference on the CRPD (COSP18) – Your guide to participating in COSP18 (Word – 1 MB)
• The UN Conference on the CRPD (COSP18) – Your guide to participating in COSP18 (PDF)

Join us on Thursday 12 June, 1:15–2:30pm (Conference Room 11, no webcast), for a side event co-organised by the European Union Delegation and the European Disability Forum, supported by Poland, to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacts persons with disabilities.

Held during the Conference of States Parties to the UNCRPD, this session will spotlight:

• The EU’s pioneering AI legislation;
• highlight global policy developments, and
• address key risks like bias and exclusion, while showcasing how AI can be harnessed to support inclusion and accessibility through assistive technologies and international standards.

Speakers:

• Ms Inmaculada Placencia Porrero, Senior Expert on Disability, Directorate Equality and Non-Discrimination, European Commission  
• Mr Alejandro Moledo, Deputy Director & Head of Policy, European Disability Forum 
• Dr Jutta Treviranus, Director, Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD University 
• Ms Alison Levy, Director of Information and Technical Services, US Access Board  
• Ms Li Andersson, Chair of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, European Parliament
• Ms Dovilė Juodkaitė, member of the Permanent Group on Disability Rights, European Economic and Social Committee
• Ms Laisa Vereti, Director Operations, Pacific Disability Forum
• Ms Sara Basson, Emerging Markets Accessibility Lead, Google  
• Ms Rylin Rodgers, Disability Policy Director, Microsoft Accessibility
• Ms Roxana Widmer-Iliescu, Head, Digital Inclusion Service, International Telecommunications Union
• Mr Łukasz Krasoń, Secretary of State (Vice-Minister) and Government Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities, Secretary State, Poland (Presidency of the EU until July 1st) 

Moderated by: Ms Ana Carla Pereira, Director, Directorate Equality and Non-Discrimination, European Commission