21 April 2005
Media statement
New Zealander to chair UN disabilities committee
New Zealand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Don MacKay, is to chair the committee drafting a new
convention covering the rights of people with disabilities, Foreign Minister Phil Goff and Minister for Disability
Issues Ruth Dyson announced today.
"Don's election recognises the contribution he has made to the negotiations through his chairmanship of the working
group that drafted the initial convention text and his coordination of the informal consultations," Mr Goff said.
“It is also recognition of the considerable contribution the New Zealand delegation has made to the negotiations so far,
and the efforts we are making to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities here in New Zealand."
Ms Dyson said New Zealand's contribution to the convention had been developed in partnership with disabled New
Zealanders, who had also been represented on the delegation.
“The 600 million people with disabilities around the world are often denied the most basic of human rights to which
they, like everyone else, are entitled to enjoy.
“There is a pressing need for a new convention that robustly affirms this entitlement. New Zealand is committed to
concluding this convention as a matter of considerable urgency,” Ms Dyson said.
ENDS