Disability Coalition Calls for UN Recognition at COP31

The Coalition of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities on Climate Change (COPD-CC) has demanded the formal recognition of a Disability Constituency within the United Nations climate change process and increased access to climate finance for persons with disabilities. This call was made in a statement issued by Dr Kayode Jayeoba in Abuja.

The coalition highlighted that persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters and face challenges such as inaccessible climate information and exclusion from decision-making processes. They emphasized that these individuals should be seen as rights-holders and contributors to climate solutions rather than mere beneficiaries.

A key demand is the formal recognition of a Disability Constituency within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which would provide a structured platform for engagement in climate negotiations. The coalition urged the UNFCCC Parties and COP31 Presidency to facilitate the approval of this proposed constituency and called for accessible funding mechanisms for disability-inclusive climate finance.