UNGA81 Third Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities Ms. Heba Hagrass &
Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Ms. Miyeon Kim
Statement delivered by H.E. Ms. Heli Lehto, Deputy Permanent Representative of Finland
on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries:
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden
New York, 23 October 2026
Chair,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic states.
Madame Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we thank you for your briefing and crucial work.
Madame Special Rapporteur,
we commend you for your valuable work. Your latest report is an important reminder that in times of increasing conflicts, natural disasters, and displacement, we must ensure that we truly reach those most in need. Yet, the report clearly states that “there is a significant risk that persons with disabilities will be deprioritized in humanitarian action”.
Principled humanitarian aid is impartial, and it should be given based on need and be non-discriminatory. We are deeply concerned that the pressure to simplify the humanitarian system and programming will mean that cross-cutting themes like disability inclusion will be overlooked.
We urge all states to put the recommendations of the report into action. We need to institutionalize disability inclusion as a cross-cutting priority across humanitarian coordination, planning, financing and accountability frameworks. We must ensure sufficient funding and the full and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their organizations throughout humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery efforts. We need reliable data on the situation for persons with disability, including disaggregated data by disability. Particular attention should be given to women and children with disabilities.
We must ensure that disability inclusion remains a core part of humanitarian action. By continuing to focus on ensuring humanitarian access and inclusivity, we underpin our ability to uphold humanitarian principles and deliver on the humanitarian imperative.
Madame Special Rapporteur, considering the humanitarian planning cycle from needs assessment to implementation and evaluation – where are the most pressing issues regarding disability inclusion that donors and humanitarian actors should address?
