– reaffirms commitment to disability rights, innovative financing at UN conference

GUYANA reaffirmed its strong commitment to disability rights and inclusive development during the 18th Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), currently underway at the United Nations Headquarters.

Delivering remarks on Wednesday during Roundtable One on the theme “Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Enhancing Social Development Policies through Innovative Financing,” Ravin Singh, representing Guyana, highlighted the country’s ongoing efforts to mainstream disability inclusion across national policies, anchored in its broader development framework.

“The CRPD created the necessary momentum for a significant shift in the approach to disability through its express provisions on the right to non-discrimination, full participation in society, and equal access to opportunities,” Singh stated, adding that Guyana continues to honour its obligations under the Convention by embedding disability rights into its national strategies.

He cited Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) as a key vehicle through which revenues from forest climate services and the natural resources sector are being used to advance disability inclusion.
These funds have helped support the development of accessible schools, inclusive vocational training, and healthcare services tailored to persons with disabilities.

Singh also announced a new partnership between Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which will facilitate the modernisation and expansion of the country’s social protection system.
This includes the scaling up of the Public Assistance Programme, already providing cash transfers to thousands of persons with disabilities, as well as the development of more specialised training initiatives.

Additionally, Guyana offers interest-free loans through its Small Business Bureau to support enterprises led by persons with disabilities, further empowering individuals and encouraging economic independence.
While celebrating these strides, Singh acknowledged that much more remains to be done to ensure the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society.

“The upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development presents an opportune moment to address the gaps in implementation and recommit to the principles of the Copenhagen Declaration and the 2030 Agenda,” Singh said, echoing Guyana’s call for global solidarity in ensuring that no one is left behind.

Guyana’s presentation was well received and adds to the growing recognition of innovative, rights-based financing approaches to social development across the Global South.