Directorate for Disability Issues - Malta

15/06/2026

During the 19th Conference of States Parties to the UNCRPD, the Directorate for Disability Issues held a bilateral meeting with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD Committee), represented by Dr Miyeon Kim, Chair, and Prof. Markus Schefer. The Director for Disability Issues, Agenzija Sapport, the Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disability, and the President of the Deaf People Association (Malta) represented Malta.
The Directorate presented a letter from Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Julia Farrugia, highlighting Malta’s progress in implementing the Committee’s recommendations since Malta's 2018 UNCRPD Review. The discussion reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to advancing disability rights through meaningful participation, co-production with persons with disabilities, and continued collaboration with the Committee to ensure full alignment with the UNCRPD.

15/06/2026

13/06/2026

Representatives from the Directorate for Disability Issues, Aġenzija Sapport and the Għaqda Persuni Neqsin mis-Smigħ / Deaf People Association Malta had a meeting with the President of the World Federation of the Deafblind - Ms. Sanja Tarczay during the 19th Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

13/06/2026

Dr. Josanne Ghirxi , Director - Directorate for Disability Issues Malta delivered a presentation at the side event "Lessons from 20 Years of CRPD Advocacy: How Do We Rethink Partnerships Between International Organisations, Government and Advocates to Achieve Change?" during the 19th Conference of States Parties to the UNCRPD
In her presentation, Dr. Ghirxi highlighted the policy and legislative reforms implemented by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Inklużjoni in strengthening disability rights in Malta through the active participation of persons with disabilities, protection of adults in situations of vulnerability, supported decision-making, safeguarding measures that respect autonomy and working in partnership with organisations of disabled person. These reforms highlight the importance of inclusive partnerships and co-creation in making CRPD rights a reality.
The discussion reflected on two decades of CRPD advocacy, exploring both successes and challenges in advancing disability rights.
🎥 You can watch the event here: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1h/k1h5do2edx

12/06/2026

11/06/2026

📢 We invite you to join us at our side event at the CRPD Conference:

Lessons from 20 years of CRPD Advocacy: How do we rethink partnerships between international organisations, governments and advocates to achieve change?

🗓️ Thursday, 11 June
🕛️ 3pm New York time.
🎥 Watch it here on UN WEB TV 👉 https://buff.ly/s3az2CU

On Thursday 11 June, TLM will be hosting a CRPD Conference side event at the UN Headquarters in partnership with:
🔷 the Government of Brazil
🔷the European Commission
🔷the Government of Malta
🔷UN ESCWA.

This CRPD Conference marks 20 years of the CRPD and so the theme for our event will be: How do we rethink partnerships between international organisations, governments and advocates to achieve change?

Watch here 👉 https://buff.ly/s3az2CU

Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability - CRPD
Missão do Brasil junto à ONU - Nova York
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia - ESCWA

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Join the session via the UN Live Webcast:

https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k10/k10xerwuin

11 June 2026
13:15-14:30 EDT (New York time)
19:15 - 20.30 CEST (Malta Time)

global

10/06/2026

On Monday, our President Annabelle Xerri addressed the Civil Society Forum at the United Nations during CoSP19, sharing her personal journey as a Deaf person in Malta and the transformative impact of access to language, community and identity.

Reflecting on Malta's progress since the recognition of Maltese Sign Language in 2016, Annabelle highlighted how Deaf-led advocacy helped create lasting change and opened the door for greater accessibility, participation and leadership within the Deaf community. She noted that while Malta is a small nation, its experience shows that change is possible when Deaf people are empowered to lead and shape the decisions that affect their lives.

Her message to governments and international partners was clear:

"Do not just invite us to sit at your table. Help us build our own tables."

We are proud to see the experiences of the Maltese Deaf community being shared on a global stage and contributing to the conversation on leadership, representation and inclusion.

🎥 Watch Annabelle's intervention on UN Web TV (from 01:49:45):
https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k19/k19v2rqpid