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Summit Week at 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly: 
High Level Political Forum (HLPF) Summit Bulletin

This bulletin contains information about the opening of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, and the Summit Week which occurred in parallel. Last week world leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York pressing global issues, from Universal Health Coverage to climate change and progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Key moments included when UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly and in his speech included persons with disabilities applauding that he launched the first United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy. Also, a small delegation of the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities (SGPwD) attended some meetings, despite extremely limited space for civil society.

Read the full summary here

Highlights from the Summary! 

1. The 74th session of the General Assembly opens with the announcement of the disability inclusion strategy!
UN Secretary-General António Guterres proudly announces “this year I launched the first UN Disability Inclusion Strategy” in his opening remarks to the 74th UN General Assembly

2. High-level reception on the margins of UNGA on the launch of UNDIS
On Thursday, 26th September UNICEF and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) hosted a reception to celebrate the launch of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) and the Global Disability Summit one-year progress report. The reception was an opportunity for UNICEF, the International Disability Alliance and partners to reiterate their commitments towards disability rights and inclusive development.

3. Climate Summit
The Climate Action Summit took place on 23 September. It addressed mitigation strategies, social and political factors, youth and public mobilization, energy and industry transition, infrastructure, resilience and adaptation, and climate finance and carbon pricing.  

4. Universal Health Coverage Summit concludes with outcome document with references to persons with disabilities
On 23 September, the UN General Assembly held a high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the theme, “Universal Health Coverage: Moving Together to Build a Healthier World.” The meeting aimed to accelerate progress towards UHC and addressed financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and vaccines for all.

5. SDG Summit is addressed by Jose Viera, Permanent Representative of the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities
On 25 September, Mr. Jose Viera, Permanent Representative of the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities officially presented at the SDG Summit. Mr. Viera was one of six civil society speakers invited to address the SDG Summit among Heads of State and Governments. 

6. First ever Summit Civil Society Forum with speakers from disability community
The first Civil Society Forum during the SDG summit took place on 24 September and featured discussions on systemic analysis for the current state of SDG implementation, key proposals to unlock progress, and institutional arrangements that could facilitate implementation. 

7. People’s Assembly concludes with outcome document, that includes dedicated chapter on disability
The People’s Assembly was a two-day conference for Civil Society Organizations that occured parallel to the SDG Summit during the opening of the General Assembly. It was organized as a response to the limited opportunity for Civil Society participation in the Summit. 

8. High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development  
During the opening of the 74th session, the General Assembly convened the first High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development (FfD) since the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in July 2019. 

9. Additional events attended by SGPwD

  • The People’s Summit on Climate, Rights and Human Survival called for urgent climate action with the leadership of disproportionately affected groups and took place on 18-19 September in New York
  • The Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities present among thought leaders and decision-makers from the public, private, and civil society sectors on data at the event “Contracts for Data Collaboration Workshop” on 23 September
  • The 2nd High-level Local and Regional Government Forum on 24 September

10. Key takeaways from the Global Sustainable Development Report, which informed the SDG Summit 
In 2015, UN Member States agreed to produce a Global Sustainable Development Report quadrennially by an independent group of scientists to inform on the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The SGPwD provided feedback during the report writing. “The Future is Now: Science for Achieving Sustainable Development” is the first Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) to be released.  

11. Key takeaways from the Summary by the President of the Economic and Social Council of the high-level political forum
The Summary by the President of the Economic and Social Council of the high-level political forum on sustainable development convened under the auspices of the Council at its 2019 session was released and emphasizes that progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is too slow and will not happen by 2030 unless action is taken by Member States to meet targets now. 

12. CBM blog 
For a recap of the high-level week, read the CBM blog that provides a summary of the participation of SGPwD at the high-level meetings during UNGA74

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