Panel Discussion Held on Enhancing Climate Resilience of Persons with Disabilities

An international panel discussion titled “Enhancing Climate Resilience of Persons with Disabilities” was held as part of the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17).

In the opening remarks, Minister for Family Labour and social protection T. Aubakir emphasized that persons with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, desertification, and land degradation. The Minister highlighted the importance of ensuring that their rights, participation, and voices are reflected in climate action policies and decision-making processes.

He emphasized the importance of creating greater opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate as active agents of green development and a sustainable economy, including as entrepreneurs, innovators and contributors to climate-resilient livelihoods, rather than being viewed solely as beneficiaries of support.

In this regard, he highlighted a number of proposals and initiatives being advanced by Mongolia in the framework of COP17, including expanding access to finance for businesses led by persons with disabilities, supporting their participation in green and climate-resilient projects, promoting their products and services in international markets, and creating greater opportunities for their participation in public and private sector procurement.