In this presentation, we provide an overview of the new UN Washington Group on Disability Statistics Secretariat, with particular attention to how this new organizing body is of relevance to researchers in Disability Studies, global health and international development.

 Over the past 13 years, the UN Washington Group on Disability Statistics has played a major role in generating a methodology that allows countries, UN agencies and NGOs to collect comparable data on persons with disability in development settings. With active participation by national statistics offices, disability advocacy organisations and UN Departments, the Washington Group's work will be a cornerstone of in the collection and disaggregation of disability data in the upcoming SDGs.

 Despite its central role in global disability activities, the Washington Group throughout its history has been largely organized by participating members. With growing expectations around the contributions that the Washington Group can make to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the SDGs and the links between the Washington Group and other methodologies under development through the UN system, the need for a more systematic approach to the on-going development, implementation and dissemination of Washington Group methodologies and information has become a priority.

In response, the Australian Department of Trade and Finance (DFAT) working with Dr Jennifer Madans, Mitchell Loeb and Dr Daniel Mont, who have spearheaded the Washington Group work, has just established a ‘Washington Group' Secretariat at the Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre, University College London under the direction of Professor Nora Groce. Over the coming four years, this Secretariat is intended to provide support for training, research and dissemination for experts and advocates working on global disability and development issues. This presentation will provide an update on current and future work anticipated to be undertaken with particular relevance to how this links with UN efforts and the SDGs.