Today in Geneva the Italian Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli addressed the High-Level Segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on behalf of the Italian Government, marking the start of Italy’s new term as a member for 2026–2028.
In her remarks, Minister Locatelli stated: “Italy will work to build new bridges, promote dialogue among regions and traditions and ensure that human rights remain at the heart of the international agenda. We undertake this mandate with humility and responsibility, but also with great determination.”
She recalled the international framework of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, reaffirming Italy’s commitment to ensuring full participation in working, social, recreational, cultural, sporting and political life. She added: “Seeing the potential in every person, not their limitations; investing and offering opportunities; ensuring universal accessibility in every aspect of daily life; and leaving no one behind.” In this context, she highlighted the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games as “a strong and tangible signal of how every person’s potential and talents can always emerge.”
At the close of the proceedings, Minister Locatelli inaugurated the travelling exhibition “Inclusion and Disability: The Solfagnano Charter – Nothing about us, without us”, inspired by the final document of the first G7 Inclusion and Disability meeting (2024). The initiative will visit all G7 countries throughout 2026 and showcases the Charter’s eight priorities through concrete, everyday-life examples. The panels combine graphic and textual information designed to be accessible to persons with visual impairments and include QR-code links to additional content available in multiple languages (French, Italian, English, Spanish and LIS).
The Minister also conveyed special thanks to the co-sponsors—Cyprus, Iraq, Mexico and Montenegro—which, together with Italy, are members of the Group of Friends on the Cultural Rights of Persons with Disabilities, launched in Geneva on 2 December.
