Global Breakthrough–Persons with Disabilities Secure Official Recognition in Climate Negotiations
News | March 1, 2026
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) this week has formally recognised the establishment of the Disability Caucus – a collective platform representing organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and disability-focused organisations – as an Informal Group of stakeholders within the UNFCCC process.
This recognition marks a historic moment for disability-inclusive climate governance. For the first time, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations have a formally acknowledged platform within the climate negotiations to ensure their voices are heard and meaningfully integrated into policies, plans and frameworks that directly affect their lives and communities. This is vital to global climate negotiations that truly seek to achieve climate justice.
Strengthening Representation in Climate Negotiations
“We have long advocated for the meaningful participation of people with disabilities in climate processes,” said David Bainbridge, Executive Director of CBM Global. “With this recognition, the UNFCCC is acknowledging that effective climate solutions must be inclusive. The Caucus will ensure that disability perspectives influence negotiations, policies, and outcomes.”
Leadership from Across the Disability Movement
Reflecting the principle of “nothing about us, without us”, our OPD partners and OPD leaders globally welcomed the recognition as a long-awaited opportunity to shape global climate policy.
“This recognition gives persons with disabilities a long-overdue seat at the climate negotiation table,” said Olajide Funso, Executive Director of DINABI, Nigeria. “Persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by climate change – yet their resilience, knowledge, and lived experience are powerful assets. The Disability Caucus creates a pathway to ensure these contributions inform global climate decisions.”
From South Asia, OPD advocates also celebrated the announcement:
“For many underserved communities in Nepal, climate change is already a lived reality,” said Muna Shakya, disability rights advocate from Nepal. “Persons, especially women and girls with disabilities, face heightened risks during climate-fuelled disasters, but they also bring essential insights into resilience and adaptation. The Disability Caucus will help bring these experiences into global discussions where they belong.”
CBM Global’s Continued Commitment
The CBM Global Federation will continue to support our OPD partners and the Disability Caucus in advancing disability-inclusive climate action, including the call for “Constituency” status at the UNFCCC. For now, the Caucus recognition is a significant step towards accessible climate finance. Alongside disability data, it will strengthen adaptation and resilience planning in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
You can read more about our work on climate advocacy in our climate advocacy roadmap.
https://cbm-global.org/news/unfccc-disability-caucus-climate-negotiations
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