The next Summer Paralympics will be London 2012 before Sochi host the 2014 Winter Paralympics.

Rio de Janeiro will then host the 2016 Summer Paralympics before Pyeongchang stage the 2018 Winter Paralympics.

The London 2012 chairman, Sebastian Coe, claimed that more than one third of people believe the Paralympic Games will bring about a breakthrough for the way people with a disability are viewed in UK.

"Our focus has not changed," said Coe.

"Athletes are the heart of everything we do.

"By placing them at the centre, you have to get so many other things correct.

"Our big challenge over the next eight months is scaling up the organisation to deliver a Games of great complexity."

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, spoke on behalf of the Russian city and said that the Games will be huge in changing attitudes towards disability in the country.

"Sochi 2014 has given Russia a unique chance to change for the better, and we are taking that chance," he said.

"The creation of a barrier-free environment is priority number one for us.

"It has been approved by the Russian Government and more than 20 state organisations are now involved in projects.

"The Russian Government is taking unprecedented steps to improve the lives of people with a disability in Russia.

"Sochi 2014 is the catalyst for this."

A video message then came from Carlos Nuzman, the President of Rio 2016, with a detailed update on their progress.

This included a recap of an event held in September to mark five years to go as well as last month's stunning logo launch.

The final update came from Dongo Hoo Moon, secretary general of the Pyeongchang 2018.

The Organising Committee was inaugurated less than two months ago but Moon said he was committed to Korea delivering the best Winter Paralympic Games ever.

The event also saw the IPC President, Sir Philip Craven, state that the Paralympic Movement had coped well during the global financial crisis, had continued to flourish, and was now ready for what lies ahead.

"If Beijing in 2008 marked the moment the Paralympic Movement grew up and the world took notice, then I believe the coming years will see us grow in maturity and captivate billions as our athletes continue to inspire and excite the world," said Sir Philip.

"We can feel rightly proud of our achievements so far, however, we should feel a greater sense of excitement about what we still have to achieve together."

The IPC General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the IPC and meets every two years.

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