Speech of Frode Mauring, UN Resident Coordinator in Russia, at Kremlin Cup ‘I can’ special action

 

Dear friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

 

Yesterday, the world marked the United Nations Day. We celebrated it under the motto UN4You. What does it mean?

 

We think that our primary task is to help those who need it most, and that is why I am here to draw your attention to the issue of disability. In Russia, about 13 million people have a certain form of disability, including 500 thousand children.

 

I am speaking about it at this important tournament because sports is a way of their integration into social and economic life. And this is a key principle of the Convention on the Rights of People of Disabilities.

 

We have been strongly advocating for Russia’s adherence to the Convention and supporting initiatives and projects putting its principles into practice.

 

These young sportsmen standing by my side participate in ‘Ya Mogu’ project, initiated by several private companies and Luzhniki Tennis School. They started playing tennis, and it has already brought positive changes for them and their families, new prospects, new friends.

 

We joined forces with the Kremlin Cup last summer in a charity sports event for the benefit of children with disabilities. And I would also like to thank the Kremlin Cup organizers and the Russian Tennis Federation for an opportunity to address such a wide audience today.

 

Finally, I would like to pass the floor to Vera Dushevina and to welcome her willingness to help the United Nations in Russia advocate for children with disabilities.

 

Thank you