Former VP Moreno is UN Envoy for disabled persons

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed former Ecuadorian Vice President Lenín Moreno as Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility.

Former Ecuador Vice President Lenín Moreno.

In his new post, Moreno will help promote the rights of people with disabilities, who number more than one billion world-wide, and also advocate on behalf of accessibility for all people.

“In spite of the remarkable advances toward accessible and disability-inclusive societies, an enormous gap remains between the commitments made and the daily experiences of persons with disabilities,” Ban said.

Moreno, who was disabled following a gunshot wound during a robbery attempt 15 years ago, currently serves as Chairperson of the Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities for the Organization of American States.

The former Nobel Peace Prize nominee is a globally acclaimed advocate for persons with disabilities and inclusive society.

“Under his leadership, Ecuador greatly advanced social inclusion and integration of persons with disabilities in national development efforts as well as in regional and international cooperation,” Ban noted.