 Recent estimates suggest about 8% of the population is differently abled. The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities, NCPD, is a non-profit organisation which has been operating in St. Lucia the last four decades. Moffillus James has been the NCPD President since 2015, supported by donations from friendly agencies and an EC $12,500 monthly government subvention. James and the NCPD look after St Lucia's differently abled population. Cognizant of the NCPD's selfless efforts to provide support and assistance to the differently abled, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre has invited Mr. James to be part of St Lucia's official delegation to the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting currently underway in Kigali, Rwanda. Hon. Pierre and Mr. James will interface with officials representing the Commonwealth Disabled Peoples Forum on avenues for cooperation and review developmental concepts to promote increased participation by the local differently abled population in the development of St Lucia. In Disabled Peoples International, we have a very simple motto, nothing about us without us. And for too long, we have found that state delegations would travel to various forums where the interests of minority groups are being discussed, but there was no member from such groups present, no direct representation. So we are extremely happy that in this context, the Prime Minister has included our organization and me as a person with a disability where discussion will be held on our greater inclusion in society, our participation in the sustainable development goals and in the development of our countries. We have been seen for too long as simply objects of charity, but we are here to demonstrate that people with disabilities have the capacity, are already contributing to society. We have people with disabilities in prominent positions across all sectors of society and we have a contribution to make and it is extremely thrilling that the Prime Minister has recognized this and has invited me. The services provided by the NCPD continue to benefit hundreds of St Lucia households every year with support from other non-profit agencies. The NCPD sources and provides resources, psychosocial support, as well as mobility devices to improve the standard of living of the island's differently-abled population. The Prime Minister's decision to include the NCPD in St Lucia's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting delegation reaffirms the government's commitment to the advancement of disability affairs and affords the opportunity for representation at the highest decision-making levels. From the Office of the Prime Minister, Rihani Isidore.