A/RES/62/127 Convinced that addressing the profound social, cultural and economic disadvantage experienced by many persons with disabilities and that promoting the progressive removal of barriers to their full and effective participation in all aspects of development will further the equalization of opportunities and contribute to the realization of a “society for all” in the twenty-first century, Reaffirming the need to include the rights of persons with disabilities in the development efforts at the national, regional and international levels to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and in this regard stressing the need to improve the complementarity and synergy in the implementation of the three main United Nations mechanisms, namely, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, each of which constitutes an important building-block in the steps to achieve time-bound and quantifiable commitments set forth in the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields, Recognizing the importance of the principles and policy guidelines contained in the World Programme of Action, the Convention and the Standard Rules in influencing the promotion, formulation and evaluation of the policies, plans, programmes and actions at the national, regional and international levels to further equalize opportunities for persons with disabilities, Convinced that the forthcoming periodic reviews of global progress as well as obstacles encountered in implementing the outcome of the Millennium Summit require the inclusion of an evaluation of the measures taken to achieve the Millennium Development Goals as they impact on persons with disabilities, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 6 5F 2. Welcomes the work of the Special Rapporteur on disability of the Commission for Social Development; 3. Calls upon States that have not yet done so to consider signing and ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto3 as a matter of priority; 0H 4. Expresses concern about the persistent gap between policy and practice regarding mainstreaming the perspective of persons with disabilities, including their rights and well-being, in the work of the United Nations in realizing the Millennium Development Goals; Encourages States to involve persons with disabilities on an equal basis 5. with other persons in the formulation of strategies and plans, in particular those pertaining to them; Encourages States, in cooperation with, inter alia, intergovernmental 6. organizations, non-governmental organizations as well as regional and international financial institutions, and the private sector, as appropriate, to be guided by the objectives of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons1 as well as those of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities2 in their work and to examine and ensure that development strategies, policies and programmes aimed at implementing internationally agreed development goals, 1H 2H _______________ 6 2 A/62/157.