A/HRC/34/69 I. Introduction 1. The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 29/19, reaffirmed the Social Forum as a unique space for interactive dialogue between the United Nations human rights machinery and various stakeholders, including civil society and grass-roots organizations.1 2. The 2016 Social Forum was held in Geneva from 3 to 5 October. It focused on the promotion and full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities in the context of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The President of the Council appointed the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Jorge Lomónaco, and the Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’affaires a.i. of New Zealand, Carl Allan Reaich, to the United Nations Office at Geneva, as the Co-Chair-Rapporteurs of the Forum. 3. The programme of work was prepared under the guidance of the Co-ChairRapporteurs, with inputs from relevant stakeholders. The present report contains a summary of the proceedings, conclusions and recommendations of the Forum. The agenda of the Forum and the list of participants is contained in annexes to the present report. II. Opening of the Social Forum 4. Mr. Lomónaco recalled that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities had entered into force very rapidly. It had left behind the medical welfare model to fully recognize persons with disabilities as rights holders and as active and autonomous members of society. He urged States to ratify or accede to the Convention and its Optional Protocol as a matter of priority. There was still much to be done, as persons with disabilities, especially women and children, continued to face barriers to their equal participation and suffered violations of their rights. New Zealand and Mexico had renewed their commitment to the principles of the Convention and called upon States to mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities at all levels. 5. The President of the Human Rights Council, Choi Kyong-Lim, said that since 2009 the Council had mainstreamed the topic, held annual interactive debates and created the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities. The universal periodic review process was an effective tool to promote ratification of the Convention and its Optional Protocol. The Council had also created the task force on secretariat services, accessibility for persons with disabilities and use of information technology, which worked to enhance accessibility at the Council. He encouraged States to continue to ensure that issues related to the rights of persons with disabilities were represented in their debates and decisions. 6. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reaffirmed the commitment of his Office (OHCHR) to advancing the human rights of persons with disabilities. The topic had become a priority and a cross-cutting issue in the work of OHCHR. Monitoring had been improved within the universal periodic review, the Council and the high-level political forum on sustainable development while the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities had made tremendous advances. It was time to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with due regard to the 1 For further details on the Social Forum, see www.ohchr.org/EN/issues/poverty/sforum/pages/sforumindex.aspx. 3