Amman, July 21 (Petra) - HRH Prince Mired bin Raad, Chief Chamberlain and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers (HCDS), on Tuesday inaugurated the Arab Regional Conference to Follow Up on the Outcomes of the 2025 Global Disability Summit (GDS).
The event gathered ministers, international experts, and representatives from regional organizations to translate the GDS commitments, chiefly the Amman-Berlin Declaration on Global Disability Inclusion, into actionable national policies.
Opening the conference, Prince Mired said Arab nations have made "tangible" strides toward disability inclusion, however "major" hurdles still impede inclusive education, decent employment, accessibility, and ending social isolation.
He stated "sustainable" progress depends on strong national ownership, urging governments to modernize legislation, establish clear implementation strategies, allocate adequate funding, and ensure persons with disabilities actively participate in planning. He noted international partners are "far more ready" to extend support when national ownership is strong, cautioning that results will fall short without it.
Wafa Bani Mustafa, Minister of Social Development and Chair of the 45th session of the Council of Arab Ministers for Social Affairs, pledged Jordan’s commitment to a rights-based approach to disability under royal directives.
Outlining the Kingdom’s social care expansion plans, Bani Mustafa revealed key targets, including expanding inclusive early intervention and daycare centers from 70 in 2026 to 128 by 2028, and increasing family-based placements from 800 this year to 4,134 by 2028.
She added that Jordan's current presidency of the council serves as a "strategic" opportunity to align summit outcomes with the Second Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities (2023–2032).
Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and UN Under-Secretary-General, said success of the Amman-Berlin Declaration hinges on its practical impact on women and girls with disabilities, who continue to face systemic barriers. She confirmed that UN Women is collaborating with regional partners to integrate gender equality into disability policies and boost economic empowerment.
Meanwhile, Tarek Nabulsi, Director of Social Development and Policies at the League of Arab States, stressed the need to accelerate commitments given the rising number of individuals acquiring disabilities due to ongoing regional conflicts, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Nawaf Kabbara, President of the International Disability Alliance (IDA), echoed these calls, stressing that high-level commitments must immediately be backed by clear national plans and dedicated budgets.
The event is organized jointly by the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), the Arab League, Ministry of Social Development, IDA, and German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), with support from Christian Blind Mission (CBM).
//Petra// HA
