L'Arche demands "investment in belonging" at COSP 18 A L’Arche delegation has demanded that world governments “invest beyond services” at the 18th Conference of State Parties (COSP 18) to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) in New York. Speaking at the UN Headquarters in June 2025, Antonio Sánchez Saura, a learning disabled member of L’Arche in Spain, pointed out that “inclusion is a matter of justice, not a favour”, and stressed the need for governments to involve people with disabilities in decision-making processes that concern them. L’Arche has special consultative status at the UN, which it uses to build partnerships and as a platform for people with disabilities to advocate for their rights and inclusion on the world stage. In 2025, COSP 18 was an important global space where people from L’Arche in Argentina, Mexico, Spain and the USA shared experiences and ideas, and dialogued with partners who share L'Arche's vision for a world where everyone belongs. L’Arche’s statement, delivered by Sánchez Saura, called for multi-year investments in initiatives of outreach and visibility which will address the stigma faced by people with learning disabilities across the world. Read the full statement At the UN Headquarters From left to right, Joanna (USA), Nicole (USA), Esther (Spain) and Antonio (Spain) representing L'Arche at COSP 18. At the Civil Society Forum L’Arche uses its special consultative status to build partnerships and advocate for the inclusion of people with learning disabilities on the world stage. The opening ceremony Later, Antonio Sánchez Saura would deliver a statement on behalf of L'Arche, emphasising the need to "invest in belonging". Manage Cookie Preferences