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The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is participating this week in the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP19) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

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The WFD delegation consists of three representatives:

  • Dr Joseph J. Murray, WFD President
  • Mr Juan Angel de Gouveia, WFD Board Member
  • Mr John Moore, WFD Executive Director

Statement during the Civil Society Forum

On the first day, WFD President Joseph Murray delivered a statement during the Civil Society Forum, highlighting the importance of sign language accessibility, meaningful participation of deaf people in decision-making processes, accountability in the implementation of the CRPD, and the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.

Accessibility Restored at the CRPD Committee

Following sustained advocacy by the WFD and our partners, sign language accessibility has been restored within the CRPD Committee, including International Sign interpretation and accessibility support for Deaf CRPD Committee Member Hiroshi Tamon. For the full background and details of our advocacy efforts, read our post: Accessibility Violations at the United Nations.

Two men in suits shake hands in front of a United Nations emblem and flag.

Bilateral Meetings with State Representatives

The WFD delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives from different countries, including Spain, Poland, Finland, and Austria. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the CRPD, sign language rights, accessibility, and the inclusion of deaf people in public policies and decision-making processes. The WFD looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Member States to advance the rights of deaf people worldwide.

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Four people in business attire are seated and engaged in discussion in a bright, modern lobby with large windows and city buildings visible outside.
Six professionals in formal attire stand together indoors in front of a colourful abstract wall art, posing for a group photo.
Four people in business attire stand side by side indoors, smiling at the camera; a large mural is visible in the background.
A group of people in business attire sit in a circle having a discussion in a room with green sofas and abstract art on the wall.
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In addition to these meetings, the WFD delegation is actively participating in side events and receptions throughout the week, engaging with governments, UN representatives, organisations of persons with disabilities, and other stakeholders to promote the rights of deaf people worldwide.

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A Historic Milestone for Israeli Sign Language

During COSP19, the WFD delegation met with representatives of the Israeli government and took the opportunity to welcome the recent recognition of Israeli Sign Language by the Israeli Parliament.

Five people, including one person in a mobility scooter, pose for a group photo outside the United Nations Headquarters, with city buildings and flags visible in the background.

This landmark achievement makes Israel the 83rd country in the world to legally recognise its national sign language and represents a significant step forward for the linguistic rights, accessibility, and inclusion of deaf people in Israel. The WFD congratulated the Israeli delegation on this important milestone and reaffirmed the importance of legal recognition of national sign languages as a foundation for the full participation and human rights of deaf people worldwide.

Learn more about the legal recognition of national sign languages.

Side event ’10 YEARS OF MALTESE SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION, 20 YEARS OF THE CRPD’

The WFD proudly co-sponsored the side event “10 Years of Maltese Sign Language Recognition, 20 Years of the CRPD” during COSP19 at the United Nations.

WFD President Dr Joseph J. Murray opened and chaired the event, highlighting the fundamental importance of sign language rights and the progress achieved since the adoption of the CRPD. He also emphasised that, while important advances have been made, many countries have yet to legally recognise their national sign languages and ensure their full implementation in practice.

Three panellists sit at a conference table with nameplates; the man in the centre gestures with hands raised, while the other two face forward.

The event celebrated two important milestones: the 20th anniversary of the CRPD and the 10th anniversary of the Maltese Sign Language Recognition Act. It brought together representatives from governments, deaf organisations, and international partners to discuss sign language rights, deaf empowerment, and the implementation of the CRPD.

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A woman speaks into a microphone at a conference table, seated between two men, with laptops and conference nameplates visible.
Four people sit at a conference table, some with laptops in front of them. One person in a red jacket is speaking, whilst others listen. Name placards and microphones are visible.
A woman uses sign language while seated at a conference table, with two other people beside her and nameplates visible in front.

Watch the side event here.

This page will be updated regularly with news, highlights, photos, and key outcomes from COSP19.

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