Italy takes centre stage at COSP19: inclusion, talent and rights at the forefront

At United Nations Headquarters, Minister Alessandra Locatelli renews the call for a paradigm shift: inclusion is not a cost, but an investment. Paralympic athletes, associations and Italian good practices take centre stage.

Once again this year, Italy brought its voice and experience to the heart of the international debate on the rights of persons with disabilities.

At the annual Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention, held from 9 to 11 June, the message was strongly reaffirmed: it is time to move definitively beyond a welfare-based vision and to recognise, value and support the talent, skills and worth of every person.

'Inclusion is not a cost, but an investment, and everyone must play their part if we are to reverse the order of political priorities in our countries,' Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli stressed. 'As always, alongside our words we brought concrete examples of the work carried out by many Italian organisations. This year several athletes from the Paralympic movement and Special Olympics Italy were with us, and, as always, our side events were attended by many representatives from countries around the world.'

Italy's participation in the Conference opened with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the travelling exhibition 'Inclusion and Disability: The Solfagnano Charter - Nothing about us, without us', inspired by the final document of the first G7 Inclusion and Disability meeting in 2024, an initiative promoted by Italy. The exhibition has already visited Geneva, London, Paris and Berlin.

On the opening day, the Minister took part in the event 'Advancing the enhanced EU Disability Strategy: Promoting Inclusion, Autonomy and Supported Decision Making', organised by the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council, calling on Member States for 'more opportunities to exchange views on policies and on respect for the rights of persons with disabilities'.

Italy then took centre stage with two side events: 'Sporting talents in the Life Project' and 'Changing perspective: seeing potential rather than limitations, including through recreational and sporting activities'.

The first event, co-sponsored by the United Kingdom and the International Disability Alliance, included athletes Veronica Plebani and Alessandro Brivio among its participants. At the second, co-sponsored by the League of Arab States and the International Disability Alliance, athletes Monica Boggioni, Federico Correzzola and Dong Dong Camanni shared their experiences. In his remarks, Camanni recalled that 'to be loved means to be recognised as a person before anything else'.

'We are not superheroes, we are not victims,' Camanni said. 'We are people, people with talents, limitations, successes and failures just like everyone else.'

The event concluded with a Paralympic dance performance by the Gabry Dance association, while several Italian associations presented participants with their recreational activities and the products they make.

Minister Locatelli also took part in a side event organised by the League of Arab States entitled 'Resilient and inclusive societies: regional action to protect and empower persons with disabilities towards national implementation of the CRPD and enhanced civic engagement'. During the event, she highlighted the close cooperation between the Ministry and the countries of the Arab League towards the definition of a Memorandum of Understanding.

On the margins of the Conference, bilateral meetings were held with the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Qatar, Jordan, the International Disability Alliance and a delegation from the League of Arab States.

A particularly meaningful moment of sharing also took place at the historic Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, where the Minister attended Holy Mass celebrated by Father Luigi Portarulo. Afterwards, the associations present offered concrete testimony to their commitment and the activities they carry out in the service of others. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and leading figures from Italian football also attended the gathering.