Ahead of COP31, Dhaka University puts forward seven recommendations to secure the rights of persons with disabilities

Ahead of the upcoming 31st United Nations climate change conference (COP31), Dhaka University (DU) has put forward a seven-point set of recommendations to ensure the rights and climate justice of persons with disabilities who are at climate risk. The recommendations emphasise climate finance, protection during disasters, rehabilitation and ensuring the participation of persons with disabilities in policymaking.

The recommendations were presented at a press conference held at 12 noon on Thursday (5 November) at the Catherine Auditorium of the Faculty of Arts building of Dhaka University. The event was organised at the initiative of the National Platform on Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Bangladesh, with technical support from the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD).

Present at the event were Dr Mohammad Moniruzzaman, director of DU's Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS), Professor Dr Mahbuba Nasreen, Md Jahidul Islam, M S Rawfa Khanom, deputy director of BRAC University's Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research, CDD coordinator Subir Kumar Saha, representatives of various related organisations and journalists.

Speaking on Bangladesh's participation in COP31 and on ensuring the representation of persons with disabilities in international climate talks, M S Rawfa Khanom said a Gender Action Plan for 2026 to 2034 was launched at last year's COP30, held in Belem, Brazil. Following on from that, a caucus was formed in February 2026 with the participation of 126 organisations. There is, however, uncertainty over whether Bangladesh's related organisations have yet been able to join it, she said.

Rawfa Khanom said special importance is being given to the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities at this year's COP31. At the initiative of 26 UNFCCC-recognised organisations, a significant number of side events on persons with disabilities are being organised for the first time. Those not physically present at the conference will also be able to follow and join the discussions through a designated app, she said.

Rawfa Khanom added that the host country agreements of the host nations, Australia and Türkiye, include the issue of persons with disabilities alongside human rights. Steps are being taken to ensure their transport, wheelchairs and communication in understandable language, she said.

She commented that it is essential to include the rights of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh's climate position paper as well. To that end, a separate position paper has been submitted to the government under C3ER's 'Green Voice' project, funded by the Netherlands Embassy. It raises the inclusion in policy of the needs and rights of communities at risk from climate change.

Stressing the direct participation of persons with disabilities in COP31, Rawfa Khanom said those most at risk from climate change must present their own experiences and demands at the international level. That requires the combined participation of related organisations, educational institutions and individuals. Even if not every expectation is met, implementing at least two important demands would be a major achievement, she commented.

The first four of the seven recommendations presented at the press conference are: giving priority to the protection of persons with disabilities in global climate justice; ensuring their access to international climate funds and loss-and-damage finance; making early warning, rescue operations and shelters one hundred percent accessible; and ensuring post-disaster medical care, rehabilitation, assistive technology and long-term social protection.

The remaining three recommendations are: implementing gender-sensitive adaptation and livelihood programmes for women with disabilities; ensuring meaningful representation of organisations of persons with disabilities in COP31 and in national and international climate talks; and collecting disability-disaggregated data on climate risk and formulating specific indicators to ensure accountability.

The press conference also called for the effective implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023-2050 and the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) 2019. It likewise recommended allocating money for persons with disabilities in the national climate budget and ensuring their effective participation in disaster management committees.

In his closing remarks, IDMVS director Dr Mohammad Moniruzzaman said it is essential for the media to raise these issues consistently in order to ensure climate justice and inclusion. The media can play an important role in carrying the voices of persons with disabilities to the policymaking level. Social attitudes and mindsets are also responsible for keeping them marginalised, he commented, and the media must work to create awareness to change that situation.