On September 21, 2024, the Global Disability Fund (formerly UNPRPD), the International Disability Alliance (IDA), and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), alongside member states, hosted a high-level event to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in international development frameworks. The event brought together representatives from member states, several United Nations agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society, and the private sector.
The objectives were to strengthen political support for disability inclusion, outline concrete actions for embedding disability rights into development frameworks, and prepare for the 2025 Global Disability Summit.
The program featured an opening session, two high-level panel discussions, and a call-to-action session. Participants reflected on strategies for enabling persons with disabilities to fully and equitably participate in society creating lasting and meaningful impact.
More information about the event and the speakers
Download the full report of the event
The discussions highlighted the following key takeaways:
- Financial Commitment: Increased funding is crucial to support disability inclusion, particularly in education, employment, and climate initiatives, with accountability for effective resource allocation.
- Collaboration: Stakeholders must adopt holistic, collaborative approaches to build inclusive systems and frameworks.
- Representation: Persons with disabilities must actively participate in decision-making to ensure their voices are reflected in policies.
- Data-Driven Policies: Reliable data is essential for informed policymaking and addressing the needs of persons with disabilities.
- Global Agendas: Disability inclusion should be a core part of global development efforts, including the SDGs and climate action.
- Technology and Innovation: Assistive technologies and AI offer immense potential but require inclusive design and input from the disability community to avoid bias.
- Partnerships: Broader coalitions involving public and private sectors, philanthropy, and civil society are key to driving progress.
- Upcoming Opportunities: Events like the 2025 Global Disability Summit and the Financing for Development Conference are pivotal moments to advance this agenda.
Originally published on globaldisabilityfund.org
