19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP)
The 19th Annual Conference of State Parties to the UN CRPD will take place at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, from 9 to 11 June, preceded by a Civil Society Forum on June 8. As in previous years, we will be there co-hosting events, strengthening partnerships, promoting the work of our grantees, and advocating for our movement’s priorities.
This year’s CoSP coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We will be represented by our Executive Director Connie Laurin-Bowie and by Aapurv Jain, our Associate Director of Government Partnerships. If you are at the conference and would like to meet with them, please email Aapurv at [email protected]. We also encourage you to join us at the following events:
1. Refugees with disabilities — resource gaps and recommendations for grant-makers (Virtual side event)
When: Monday, June 8, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT
Hosted by UNHCR, co-organized by the Global Network of Refugees with Disabilities (GNRD), the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), and DRF.
Event focused on the resource gaps facing organizations led by refugees with disabilities and what grantmakers can do to ensure equitable support.
2. Centering youth, women, and gender-diverse communities of persons with psychosocial disabilities in the deinstitutionalization agenda (Virtual side event)
When: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT
Organized by Transforming Communities for Inclusion (TCI-Global), in partnership with the Center for Independent Living Kathmandu, with support from DRF.
This virtual side event brings together State Parties, multilateral agencies, donors, and human rights organizations to discuss the deinstitutionalization agenda, with a focus on youth, women, and gender-diverse communities of persons with psychosocial disabilities. DRF Executive Director Connie Laurin-Bowie will speak on how funding can advance deinstitutionalization and reach those most affected by institutionalization.
3. Supporting OPDs and civil society — celebrating the 20th anniversary of the CRPD (In-person side event at Conference Room 6, UN Headquarters)
When: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 · 1:15 – 2:30 PM EDT
Co-hosted by the European Union and the European Disability Forum
The EU is hosting this dialogue on the roles of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and civil society in advancing disability-inclusive policy globally. DRF Executive Director Connie Laurin-Bowie will join representatives from the European Commission, the Global Disability Fund, members of the European Parliament, and OPD leaders from Ghana, Cyprus, and Australia.
4. Shaping the Future of Disability Inclusion – From CRPD at 20 to the Global Disability Summit 2028: “Advancing disability inclusion through evidence, partnership and action.” (In-person side event at Conference Room 11, UN Headquarters)
When: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 · 3:00 – 4:15 PM EDT
Organized by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in New York, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Social Development and Family, State of Qatar and the International Disability Alliance.
This side event will explore priorities for the Global Disability Summit 2028 and how governments, OPDs and partners can contribute to shaping the agenda. Discussions will focus on inclusive technology and artificial intelligence, pathways for economic participation, health equity and integrated care systems, inclusive policy frameworks, data systems and financing. Ongoing preparations for GDS 2028 will be outlined, opportunities for collaboration will be discussed.
To find out more about CoSP19 themes, program, side events and registration, please visit CoSP’s official page. The complete schedule of sessions and side events is available online.