The issue of building inclusive cities was discussed at the round table on “Beyond Accessibility: Ensuring the Right to Adequate Housing for All” held within the framework of the UN World Urban Forum.
Modern.az reports that Federico Batista Poitier, an expert on accessibility policy at the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), who spoke at the event, stated that the implementation of international frameworks on the rights of persons with disabilities at the local governance level is one of the main priorities.
According to him, UCLG represents more than 250,000 municipalities worldwide, and the main goal is to translate the global agenda into real results at the local level.
Federico Batista Poitier noted that although the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the main legal framework, the main issue is how municipalities apply these principles in their daily activities.
“The services and programs provided by cities are systems that every person has the right to use. Therefore, the principles of the Convention must be transformed into concrete mechanisms in local governance,” he said.
He emphasized that in 2019, a special experience platform was created for local and regional governments. The goal is to make accessibility a core part of municipal governance.
Batista Poitier stated that in some cities, organizations of persons with disabilities cannot participate sufficiently in governance, and for this reason, work is being done on their involvement in the decision-making process.
He also noted that the “Cities for All” global campaign plays an important role in the development of inclusivity and accessibility policies in cities.
Federico Batista Poitier added that universal guidelines for the local inclusivity agenda are currently being developed with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
According to him, this document is being prepared not only by municipalities but also in cooperation with organizations of persons with disabilities, UN agencies, and other partners.
“Accessibility is a journey. The participation of persons with disabilities in governance is a journey. Building inclusive societies is a phased process,” he emphasized.
