Reflections from COSP18

Last week, the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) joined governments, civil society organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities (OPD), researchers, and private sector partners at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18). With the recent Global Disability Summit in Berlin, cuts in overseas development funding, and challenges securing visas, the number and size of delegations was significantly smaller than previous years. Alongside a backdrop of shifting global agendas and escalating uncertainty the commitment and passion of those in attendance was louder, more poignant, purposeful and urgent then previous COSP sessions.  

This year’s themes (innovative financing, artificial intelligence (AI) and participation, and the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities) reflect a growing understanding that lasting inclusion requires systemic change across sectors; programmes or policies in isolation aren't enough. Instead, we need to reshape how financial systems, digital technologies, and human rights frameworks are designed, funded and implemented globally, with people with disabilities at the heart of that conversation. The GDI Hub is proud to be at the centre of this work through a range of projects, from using AI to improve Automatic Speech Recognition for people with nonstandard speech patterns at the Centre for Digital Language Inclusion to working with The Asian Development Bank to make banking and finance more inclusive.  

Our contribution to these discussions was reflected in several key events throughout the week. One highlight for our team was “A Look Ahead: AI and Innovative Inclusive Communication”, a session we co-hosted  alongside the UK Mission to the UN, the Cabinet Officeand the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The event brought together global leaders, innovators, and advocates to explore how AI can support more inclusive communication systems for people with disabilities.

During the side event, we were thrilled to announce that the Kenyan start-up Signvrse, supported through our AT2030 Innovate Now accelerator, had been selected to join the Google.org Accelerator for Generative AI, providing a timely example of the power of locally led innovation. While Google representative Sara Basson encouraged us to look forward with enthusiasm, Ahmed Mudawi from the British Sign Language Board, reminded us to learn from painful lessons from the past in which persons with disabilities were punished and further excluded. A call for the balance between the two nicely wrapped up the session that also highlighted work being done in Pakistan.  

Photo caption: Iain McKinnon, GDI Hub addresses an audience in the United Nations headquarters, accompanied by Atif Sheik, CEO STEP (left) and UK Minister of Equalities, Seema Malhtra (right).  

Continuing the momentum, we also co-hosted “The Future of Financial Inclusion” with United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Small Enterprise Assistance Funds 

(SEAF), bringing together stakeholders from finance, development, and policy to explore how inclusive investment models can unlock both social and economic benefits for people with disabilities and their broader communities. Discussions focused on practical strategies, from embedding accessibility and disability inclusion into financial systems to utilising blended finance and assistive technology investments as levers for scalable change, highlighting specific examples from OPD STEP’s advocacy and policy work with banking regulators in Pakistan and Lloyds Bank group contributions to sector practices like the Lilac Review and investments in disabled entrepreneurs 

These sessions were part of a broader pattern throughout the week: COSP18 provided a space to strengthen existing partnerships and form new ones. It also provided some time to reflect, as a sector, on the changing environment we find ourselves within. On why and how our previous approaches may have failed, and most importantly what we must do differently. From new funding frameworks to innovative collaborations – the time is now. 

And it requires genuine collaboration across governments, civil society, the private sector, and disabled people’s organisations. Real progress depends on all actors working together to design policies, technologies, and investments that are inclusive by default 

Looking Ahead 

 
As our team returns from New York, we are energised by the possibilities ahead. We were pleased to see that the conversations held at COSP18 were not abstract or theoretical; they were practical, urgent, and grounded in the lived experiences of people with disabilities. We are especially encouraged to see increased recognition that inclusive innovation is a shared responsibility, one that requires governments, the private sector, and disabled persons’ organisations to work together. 

Photo caption: A panel on The Future of Financial Inclusion at the Japan Society in NYC. Left to right: Cara Yar Khan, Moderator (GDI Hub), Mohamed Atif Sheik, CEO (STEP), David Hall, Director Social Sustainability (Lloyds Bank), Astrid Cozian, COO (UNCDF), Paul Sheehan, CEO (SEAF) and Pollyanna Wardrop, Senior Researcher (GDI Hub). 

From AI to inclusive finance, the ideas shared at COSP18 are already transforming lives. Our collective task now is to scale what works, support what’s emerging, and continue building a truly inclusive future—one that sees disability not as a problem to be solved, but as a powerful driver of innovation and human potential.  

Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude to the International Disability Alliance and UN DESA for organizing COSP18 and to all those who shared their insights, energy, and expertise with us during the week. We are excited for what’s to come. 

For more information on GDI Hub and all inquiries:  https://www.disabilityinnovation.com/