Minister Hajdu shared Canada's commitment to ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities at the United Nations

NEW YORK, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada is a dynamic country that celebrates our diversity, cares for the most vulnerable among us, and strives for a better future for all.
This week, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, brought that message to the United Nations (UN) where she led Canada's delegation to the 18th session of the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which took place from June 10 to 12 in New York City.
As global challenges intensify, the Government of Canada is working with domestic and international partners to remove barriers for persons with disabilities to help create a more inclusive future for everyone.
Delegates from various countries met around this year's overarching theme, "Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the Second World Summit for Social Development." Important discussions also took place on innovative ways to finance disability inclusion, inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI), and protecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities.
During the opening session of the Conference, Minister Hajdu reaffirmed Canada's commitment to advancing disability inclusion. The Minister highlighted the importance of collaborating with the disability community to develop key elements of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, such as the Canada Disability Benefit and the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities. When it comes to advancing disability-inclusive AI, Minister Hajdu noted that Canada introduced a national standard on accessible and equitable AI, which helps ensure no one is left behind in technological progress. The Minister also emphasized Canada's commitment to reconciliation and justice for Indigenous persons with disabilities, guided by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
As part of the Conference, Canada hosted a side event on inclusive AI, where participants shared best practices on how AI can be leveraged to foster meaningful workforce participation for persons with disabilities. The Minister also participated in bilateral meetings with her counterparts from France, Ireland and Brazil to share valuable insights and learn from other countries' experiences in advancing disability inclusion.
Quote
"As the Minister of Jobs and Families, with the responsibility for advancing accessibility and disability inclusion, it was an honour to represent Canada at the United Nations this week. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Canada's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which continues to guide our work to build a country free from barriers, where no one is left behind. By sharing our experiences, learning from other nations and collaborating with our allies, we are joining forces to build a truly accessible, inclusive and equitable future for all."
–Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu
Quick facts
The 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities took place from June 10 to 12, 2025.
The overarching theme of the Conference was "Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the Second World Summit for Social Development." The three sub-themes discussed at this year's session were:
empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing social development policies through innovative financing.
leaving no one behind: using AI as a tool for supporting inclusivity to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities.
recognizing and addressing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the General Assembly on December 13, 2006, and came into force on May 3, 2008. This year marks the 15th anniversary since Canada ratified the Convention in 2010. Canada acceded to the Optional Protocol in 2018.
Associated links
18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Rights of people with disabilities
Follow us on X (Twitter)
Follow us on Facebook
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2025/12/c4447.html

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

USA Today

an hour ago

• USA Today

'Perilous hour': World reacts after US bombs Iranian nuclear sites

Israel hailed President Donald Trump's decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites as an action that would "deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons," but the United Nations and many countries around the world called for swift de-escalation while others criticized the attacks. Trump said the strikes on June 22 "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities and that Iran had to "make peace" or face more, "far greater" attacks. In response, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned of "everlasting consequences." However, a recorded statement Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump for taking what he described as a "bold decision" that "will change history." The reaction from other world quarters was more restrained and called for Iran to return to the negotiating table. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged that Iran's nuclear program was a "grave threat to international security." He also said a "diplomatic solution" was needed to "end the crisis." Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said it was "crucial" there be "a quick de-escalation of the conflict." The European Union's top foreign policy official Kaja Kallas urged "all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation." Still, there were stronger words from longtime U.S. adversaries Venezuela and Cuba. Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel characterized the U.S. bombing as a "dangerous escalation" that "seriously violates the UN charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences." Yvan Gil, Venezuela's foreign minister, said his country "firmly and categorically condemns the bombing." U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was "gravely alarmed" by the use of U.S. force on Iran. "There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control − with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world," Guterres said in a statement. "At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace." Trump's decision to directly attack Iran alongside Israel comes more than a week after Israel started attacking Iran with a view to destroying its nuclear enrichment facilities. He did so without congressional authorization. 40,000 reasons to worry: U.S. troops in Middle East vulnerable to counterattack There has been so far been no independent assessment of Trump's claim that U.S. bombers "totally obliterated" Iran's three major nuclear sites at complexes in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. "Now that the strikes have come, Tehran faces a stark dilemma: retaliate and risk a wider war, or pause to consolidate at home," said Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow in Middle East security at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank that specializes in military affairs.

CNBC

4 hours ago

• CNBC

Iran says it reserves all options after ‘outrageous' U.S. strikes, launches fresh attacks on Israel

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday said Tehran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty and people after the "outrageous" U.S. attacks on three major nuclear enrichment facilities in the Middle Eastern country. Iran also launched its 20th wave of missile and drone strikes against Israeli military targets, according to Iran state-owned media Fars. The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday reported sirens blaring due to further Iranian offensives and added it had begun its own missile offensives in western Iran. The two regional foes have been exchanging attacks since Israel's surprise attack on Iran last week. Tehran's response comes after the U.S. conducted a direct military attack on Iran for the first time, a move that has dramatically ratcheted up geopolitical tensions in the already volatile region. Araghchi said on social media that the U.S. attacks targeting the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites would have "everlasting consequences," adding that "every member of the United Nations must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior." "In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people," Araghchi said on X. Addressing the nation on Saturday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump said strikes on three of Iran's nuclear sites were a "spectacular military success" that "completely obliterated" the country's key enrichment facilities. The U.S. president's claim about the result of the operation could not be independently confirmed. The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran's nuclear safety center had reported no radiation or contamination at the nuclear centers following the attacks, as of Sunday morning London time. "There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days. Remember, there are many targets left," Trump said. Israel welcomed Trump's intervention in the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump's "bold decision will change history."

Hamilton Spectator

7 hours ago

• Hamilton Spectator

Nations react to US strikes on Iran with calls for diplomacy

The U.S. strike on Iran fueled fears that Israel's war with Tehran could escalate to a wider regional conflict, and other countries began reacting Sunday with calls for diplomacy and words of caution. President Donald Trump had said Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether to get involved. In the end, it took just days to decide, and Washington inserted itself into Israel's campaign with its early Sunday attack. It remained unclear early how much damage had been inflicted, but Iran had pledged to retaliate if the U.S. joined the Israeli assault. Some have questioned whether a weakened Iran would capitulate or remain defiant and begin striking with allies at U.S. targets scattered across the Gulf region. Here is a look at reaction from governments and officials around the world. United Nations U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was 'gravely alarmed' by the use of force by the United States. 'There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,' he said in a statement on the social media platform X. 'I call on Member States to de-escalate.' 'There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy.' New Zealand New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters urged 'all parties to return to talks.' He wouldn't tell reporters Sunday whether New Zealand supported President Trump's actions, saying they had only just happened. The three-time foreign minister said the crisis is 'the most serious I've ever dealt with' and that 'critical further escalation is avoided.' 'Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action,' he said. China A flash commentary from China's government-run media asked whether the U.S. is repeating 'its Iraq mistake in Iran.' The online piece by CGTN, the foreign-language arm of the state broadcaster, said the U.S. strikes mark a dangerous turning point. 'History has repeatedly shown that military interventions in the Middle East often produce unintended consequences, including prolonged conflicts and regional destabilization,' it said, citing the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. It said a measured, diplomatic approach that prioritizes dialogue over military confrontation offers the best hope for stability in the Middle East. Japan Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to hold a meeting with key ministers Sunday afternoon to discuss the impact from the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to Japan's NHK television. Japan's largest-circulation newspaper Yomiuri is distributing an extra edition on the attack in Tokyo. South Korea South Korea's presidential office said it would hold an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss the security and economic ramifications of the U.S. strikes and potential South Korean responses. Australia Australia, which shuttered its embassy in Tehran and evacuated staff Friday, continued to push for a diplomatic end to the conflict. 'We have been clear that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security,' a government official said in a written statement. 'We note the U.S. President's statement that now is the time for peace.' 'The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .