Mr / Mdm President,
1 Singapore welcomes the convening of this Conference. We are grateful for this annual opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from one another.
2 Singapore is committed to building an inclusive society, where persons with disabilities are empowered and enabled to participate fully. Our disability initiatives are grounded on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the regional Incheon Strategy for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, and the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan.
3 This year’s theme of ‘Harmonising national policies and strategies with the CRPD’ resonates with Singapore. In line with fulfilling our international commitments domestically, Singapore has developed Enabling Masterplans, our long-term roadmaps for disability inclusion. All iterations of the masterplans, including the latest Enabling Masterplan 2030 (EMP2030), were developed in consultation with persons with disabilities. It takes a systemic life course approach to supporting persons with disabilities, in areas such as education, employment, independent living, and public spaces.
4 We also set clear and measurable targets to be achieved by 2030. These targets embody our commitment to uphold, protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
Mr / Mdm President,
5 As outlined in Agenda 2030, disability cuts across all Sustainable Development Goals. Whole-of-government and whole-of-society efforts are therefore key to enhancing the lived experiences of persons with disabilities.
6 To create accessible environments, all of Singapore’s public transport and facilities and close to 100% of public sector buildings are wheelchair accessible.
7 To enable inclusive employment, we provide job matching services and support employers in hiring and integrating employees with disabilities through wage offsets and job redesign grants. To further strengthen workplace fairness for employees with disabilities, we will enshrine our anti-discrimination employment guidelines into law, including discrimination based on disability.
8 However, there is still much to do, for example, designing alternative housing and care models, so that persons with disabilities can age in place in their communities, with the proper infrastructure and social support.
Mr / Mdm President,
9 Singapore is committed to building an inclusive society and will continue to work to fulfil the 2030 Agenda to “leave no one behind”.
10 Thank you.