20th Anniversary of the Union of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities

Good morning,

Distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends

It is a great pleasure and an honour to join you today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Union of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities.

Twenty years is more than a milestone — it is a journey of courage, resilience, and collective progress. Over these two decades, the Union has become a powerful advocate for equality, dignity, and opportunity — a voice representing thousands of persons with disabilities across Azerbaijan.

Today, we celebrate not only achievements, but the people behind them — the advocates who refused to be invisible, the families who never stopped believing, and the partners who understood that inclusion benefits everyone.

The United Nations is proud to stand beside you on this path. Together with the Government of Azerbaijan, the Union, and our partners, we have worked to advance inclusive education, strengthen employment opportunities, and expand accessibility across communities and institutions. 

These are not just programmes — they are the building blocks of an inclusive society, where everyone can participate fully and contribute meaningfully.

We, the United Nations, are also deepening our commitment to inclusion as a matter of principle and accountability. Under the leadership of the Secretary-General, the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy provides a system-wide framework to ensure that disability inclusion is fully embedded in all we do — from our policies and programmes to our workplaces and partnerships.

Here in Azerbaijan, we are translating this commitment into practice: ensuring accessibility across our events and communications; promoting the use of inclusive language in media and public discourse; and working with government and civil society to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making. 

Dear friends,
Inclusion is not a destination — it is a constant pursuit.
Each step we take to remove barriers, each policy that opens new opportunities, and each word that affirms respect brings us closer to a society built on dignity and equality.
Inclusion is not an act of kindness; it is an investment in justice, in opportunity, and in a stronger, more sustainable future for all.

As we mark this anniversary, let us look ahead — to a future where inclusion is woven into the very fabric of our societies, ensuring that every person’s rights and potential are recognized and realized.

On behalf of the United Nations in Azerbaijan, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Union, its members, and to all who have championed the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. 

Your leadership and perseverance continue to inspire us all.

Thank you.