Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome you to the workshop “Zero Gap”!

I am delighted to here today with such a diverse and inspiring group of students!
In Vietnam, almost one in fourteen people are persons with disabilities (PwDs), accounting for 7.2% of the population. However, there are millions of PwDs in Vietnam who have not been recorded due to their invisible disabilities and the gap in the definition of PwDs between the Law on persons with disabilities in Vietnam and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). They are more likely to be left behind, and it is essential that we listen to their needs and experiences when shaping our future commitments and actions. 

The UNDP Vietnam is driven by a globally agreed normative framework, beginning with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the CRPD, and embodied in the principle of LNOB. We have been working with ministries, organizations of PwDs, and especially young generations to ensure the right of PwDs to good conditions in the workplace, to live independently, to equal opportunities, and to participate fully in the life of their community. The UN Joint Program on Disability Inclusion, supported by UNPRPD Multi-Partner Trust Fund is working with the Diplomatic Academy students on the United Youth for Inclusion Initiative and the Vietnamese government in revising disability-related definitions to align with the CRPD.

Around the world, PwDs and their representative organizations are taking action to realize the call: ‘Nothing about us, without us’. Sometimes, we may overlook elements that can be significant barriers for PwDs, for youth with disabilities, including barriers to education, healthcare, and employment. For instance, an inaccessible website can create difficulties for people with visual disabilities, while staircases can pose a challenge for wheelchair users, and the lack of sign language accessibility can be problematic for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The UN Joint Programme on Disability Inclusion coordinated by UNDP pays special attention to the most marginalized groups in the disability community because they suffer a lot of stigma and discrimination due to disability and lack of opportunities to be invited to events. There are few opportunities to have representation in the leadership of disability movements. These are people with intellectual disabilities, people with psychosocial disabilities, DeafBlind, Little persons, people with albinism, people with multiple disabilities. And today, we are pleased to welcome some representatives of these disability groups to today's event. 

Everyone has the right to a life without barriers, and it is our obligation, as a community, to ensure their full participation in society, on an equal basis with others. We need everyone, especially young people – the leaders of the next generation, on board to achieve the SDGs. With more than 23 million young people in Viet Nam, youth are major drivers of change, you have the energy, commitment, and fresh ideas to create solutions that will accelerate the national development, support the disadvantaged groups and the achievement of the SDGs.

A society and economy that embrace diversity and inclusivity are richer, full of innovation and solidarity. We urge you – young leaders, innovative generation, change makers to join us in the meaningful journey of ensuring that everyone can participate fully in society, on an equal basis with others.

Thank you.