Papua New Guinea has recently begun a countrywide consultation on the rights of persons with disabilities, beginning with a two-day regional workshop in Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province. The initiative, led by the Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), is supported by the Australian Government and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Highlands consultation brought together participants from all seven provinces in the region, including provincial government officers, persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, churches, and development partners. The forum provided a platform for open dialogue, policy review, and data collection to strengthen disability rights and promote inclusive development in line with PNG’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Department Secretary Jerry Ubase, in his opening remarks, thanked Australia and OHCHR for their continued support, stating the consultation marked an important step toward building inclusive communities. “By engaging stakeholders across the country, we are ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities are heard and reflected in our national policies.” Western Highlands Deputy Provincial Administrator Esley Tikil officially welcomed delegates, while Australia’s Second Secretary at the High Commission, Tomoko Kognezawa, reaffirmed her country’s support for inclusive governance in PNG. Speaking on behalf of persons with disabilities, Lupo Kon, Chairman of the Highlands Regional Assembly of Disabled Persons, described the consultation as a first of its kind. “I am proud to be part of this initiative and will continue to advocate for disability rights on any platform available.” Similar workshops are scheduled to take place in the Momase, Southern, and New Guinea Islands regions in the coming months. A study visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD is also planned, aimed at aligning PNG with global standards. The consultations are expected to result in a national CRPD report, improved reporting mechanisms, and stronger collaboration between government agencies and community organisations. PNG’s next periodic CRPD report is due in 2029.