New York, June 12 (SANA)Achieving social protection and caring for vulnerable groups, people with disabilities and women, along with enhancing civil peace and social cohesion, are among the top priorities of Syria’sMinistry of Social Affairs and Laborunder its strategy for the coming period, MinisterHind Kabawatsaid Friday.

Kabawat made the remarks in a speech at an event held on the sidelines of the 19th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at theUnited Nationsin New York, the ministry said on its Telegram channel.

The minister stressed the importance of considering the needs of conflict-affected populations and not excluding them from development and recovery programs. She emphasized the need to provide services for people with disabilities that meet their needs, enhance their active participation in society and contribute to building a more inclusive and just future.

Empowering the most vulnerable groups and enhancing their integration into society are essential pillars for achieving sustainable development and consolidating social stability, she added.

On Thursday, Kabawat met in New York with Outi Holopainen,Finland‘s deputy minister for foreign and security policy, to discuss prospects for cooperation in peacebuilding, capacity building and social integration of women and people with disabilities to support development and community recovery efforts.

The 19th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was held at UN headquarters inNew Yorkfrom June 9 to 11, with participation from states parties, UN organizations and civil society groups focused on disability issues.

The conference serves as an international platform to follow up on implementation of the convention, exchange experiences and practices related to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring their full and equal participation in all aspects of life, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and principles of inclusion and non-discrimination.