Leaders around the globe celebrate DPI Asia-Pacific Assembly

Press release — Tokyo, Japan, 25 May 2016.

The Assembly began with an opening ceremony at which representatives from 14 member national assemblies heard messages from around the globe. After a welcome from Ms Midori Hirano, Chairperson of DPI-Japan, and a remark from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, three influential women with disabilities — Judith Heumann (US Department of State), Venus Ilagan (Rehabilitation International) and Rachel Kachaje (DPI World) — gave video messages. Mr Eita Yashiro, Honorary Regional Chairperson of DPI AP, delivered a keynote.

On 24 May 2016, after discussion by delegations from 14 member national assemblies, the DPI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly adopted the Tokyo Declaration and agreed a series of actions towards the midpoint review of the Incheon Strategy on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities and beyond. DPI AP will be actively involved in the midpoint review through inputs and cooperation with ESCAP, using its four sub-regional networks so that the voices of members at national level are reflected. A drafting committee for a governance guideline was set up, and the meeting decided that Bangladesh would host the next Regional Assembly in 2018.