CYDA at the United Nations CoSP18
About CoSP18
Every year, the United Nations holds a conference for countries that have agreed to uphold rights of people with disability.
This conference is called the “Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, or “CoSP” for short.
In 2025, the UN held its 18th CoSP event, CoSP18, in New York.
The main theme of CoSP18 was: “Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the World Social Summit”.
Its three sub-themes were:
- Innovative financing for disability-inclusive development
- AI and digital inclusion
- Indigenous disability rights and leadership
An incredible opportunity and experience. COSP18 covered important themes and topics, with speakers from so many countries. It was great to see people with diverse lived experiences engaged and represented. I’ve come to see how far Australia has come in disability inclusion and accessibility, but also how much more we can learn. Countries like Canada, Japan, Malta, and several EU member states are doing amazing work that we can draw from.
CYDA at CoSP18
CYDA was proud to send three delegates to CoSP18 in New York: Ebe Ganon, Jason McCurry, and Gi Brown. They represented young people with disability on the world stage, speaking at events and connecting with advocates and decision-makers from across the globe.
Our delegates spoke at the Civil Society Forum, joined roundtables and General Assembly sessions, and attended side events hosted by countries like Canada, Malta, and Spain, and organisations such as the World Bank and the European Union. Gi Brown also delivered an intervention at the UN General Assembly, sharing the voices of First Nations young people with disability.
They met with representatives from Australia’s Department of Social Services, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Australian Human Rights Commission, and connected with advocates from Tanzania, Ireland, India, and the Pacific.
COSP18 was a powerful chance to share youth perspectives, learn from global disability movements, and reflect on how Australia can lead and improve on disability rights.
Delegate speeches
Our delegates spoke at the Civil Society CRPD Forum, held the day before CoSP18 officially began. This event brought together disabled advocates and civil society groups from across the world to share lived experience, discuss global challenges, and push for stronger action on the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Jason highlighted the growing threat of anti-diversity politics and the need to protect funding for disability advocacy, while reminding us of the power of community and collective action.
Ebe explored the potential of AI to make higher education more accessible and the risks if disabled people are excluded from shaping how it is designed and used.
Gi spoke about the impact of colonisation and systemic violence on Indigenous disabled people, calling for power to shift towards community-led solutions and Indigenous knowledge.
CYDA also took part in CoSP17, CoSP16, and CoSP14
In 2024, AuDHD Advocate, Emily Unity, CYDA Youth Programs Manager, Daniel Munter, and CYDA CEO, Skye Kakoschke-Moore, represented CYDA at CoSP17.
In 2023, CYDA Youth Council members Charlotte Young, Justin Hill, Ashleigh Keating and Danny Dickson travelled to New York with CYDA CEO Skye Kakoschke-Moore.
In 2021, youth delegates Melanie Tran, Jocelyn Neumueller and Tim Chan, and CYDA CEO Mary Sayers represented CYDA at CoSP with an online presentation on inclusive education.
