The Chair of the Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration Committee, Rati Ionatamishvili, addressed participants of the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The main theme of the conference was celebrating achievements in a changing world, consolidating progress, and shaping the next phase of implementation.

In his speech, Rati Ionatamishvili placed particular emphasis on the importance of strengthening international cooperation to advance the rights of persons with disabilities.

He spoke in detail about the reforms implemented by Georgia since ratifying the Convention and highlighted several key achievements:

• Legislative reforms: adoption of a new European-standard law on the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as legislation regulating physical and web accessibility;
• Financial and social support: a fivefold increase in the budget for social services and the indexation of social benefits;
• Promotion of independent living: introduction of the personal assistant service and independent living centers;
• Inclusion and recognition: official recognition of sign language, along with significant progress in inclusive education and the Paralympic movement.

Alongside these positive developments, Ionatamishvili also drew the Assembly’s attention to ongoing challenges.

He emphasized the severe human rights situation faced by persons with disabilities living in Georgia’s occupied territories and stressed that the issue requires continuous attention and response from the international community.