Geneva, 19 March 2026 – On the margins of the Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN Office in Geneva hosted a side event at the Palais des Nations to present the candidacy of Ms. Lyazzat Kaltayeva for membership in the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The event brought together ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and human rights experts.

Opening the event, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Erzhan Kazykhan noted the symbolic importance of the year, marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the promotion of human dignity, as well as its active engagement with UN human rights mechanisms.

The Ambassador also announced Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Group of Friends on Cultural Rights of Persons with Disabilities and formally presented
Ms. Lyazzat Kaltayeva as Kazakhstan’s candidate to CRPD. With over 30 years of leadership in the disability rights movement, including at the parliamentary and regional levels, Ms. Kaltayeva brings extensive experience in promoting inclusive policies and advancing the rights of women and persons with disabilities.

In her address, Ms. Lyazzat Kaltayeva stressed the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities have a voice in decision-making processes, particularly in the face of emerging global challenges such as climate change, conflict and public health crises.

The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a body of independent experts that monitors the implementation of the Convention by States Parties. Elections to CRPD will take place in June 2026 in New York.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-geneva/press/news/details/1185580?lang=kk