PWDA Submission to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) General Review: disability-inclusive trade
PWDA is calling on the Australian Government to make sure people with disability are included in international trade agreements and can benefit from the opportunities they create.
Australia has already committed to promoting disability-inclusive trade through its International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEAR Strategy). This includes making sure people with disability can benefit from international trade and that future trade agreements protect their rights and prevent discrimination.
PWDA wants the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to:
- Look for opportunities to strengthen disability rights and inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
- Make disability inclusion a priority in any future negotiations to update or improve the agreement.
- Ensure future trade agreements include stronger protections and opportunities for people with disability.
PWDA has also provided a disability-inclusive trade position paper, developed with input from the Australian Council for International Development and the Australian Disability Development Consortium.
The paper outlines principles for including disability rights in free trade agreements and identifies existing provisions that PWDA supports.
What is PWDA asking for?
In simple terms, international trade agreements should not leave people with disability behind.
People with disability should have equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from international trade. Their rights and inclusion should also be recognised and protected in the agreements that govern trade between countries.
The key message
PWDA wants Australia to turn its existing commitment to disability-inclusive trade into practical action by strengthening disability rights and inclusion in the RCEP and future trade agreements.