Thank you Chair,
 
At one point or another, any of us sitting in this room could need an assistive technology of some kind. While for us these may be easy to acquire, only one person out of ten in need of assistive technologies has access to them today.
 
We would like to take this opportunity to commend the WHO on the work done on this issue so far. The WHO Global Disability Action Plan for 2014-2021, the WHO Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (or GATE) initiative, and the many working groups and conferences which take place here and elsewhere–illustrate the momentum this topic is rightfully gaining on the global health agenda.
 
This work is essential, but it’s not enough. It is our responsibility as Member States to provide all our citizens with the opportunity to lead full and productive lives. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, signed by 160 countries (and by Israel in 2007), recognizes access to assistive technology as a human right, and calls for international cooperation to extend this right to those in need.
 
We therefore support the draft resolution before us, co-chaired by Ecuador and Pakistan, which calls upon Member States and the WHO to explore the various ways in which we can make assistive technologies more accessible, affordable and reliable. We find great value in making this topic a priority, and look forward to working together towards its implementation both nationally and worldwide.
 
Technology is rapidly transforming our lives in a multitude of ways, from how we communicate to how we travel. Technology makes life easier for us; for the people who need them, assistive technologies make life possible.
 
We are very proud to co-sponsor this draft resolution and urge all Member States to support it as well.
 
Thank you very much.