Amman, July 22 (Petra) -- The Arab Regional Conference to Follow up on the Outcomes of the Global Disability Summit 2025 concluded on Wednesday in Amman, under the patronage of Prince Mired bin Raad, Chief Chamberlain and President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD).

The conference gathered ministers, officials, experts, and representatives from organizations of persons with disabilities, as well as Arab, regional, and international bodies, to discuss accelerating the implementation of commitments stemming from the Global Disability Summit, primarily the Amman-Berlin Declaration, and strengthening Arab cooperation to translate these commitments into action.

The event was co-organized by the HCD, the League of Arab States' Social Development and Policies Department, the Ministry of Social Development, the International Disability Alliance (IDA), and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), with support from CBM (Christoffel-Blindenmission).

The second day featured two main sessions. The first focused on inclusive education, exploring ways to develop inclusive educational policies, improve access to education for persons with disabilities, and share Arab and international best practices. Participants included representatives from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Education, the Royal Academy for Inclusive Education, UNESCO, and UNICEF.

The second session highlighted monitoring systems for tracking the Amman-Berlin Declaration commitments, emphasizing data-driven evaluation frameworks and the role of disability organizations in monitoring national implementation to enhance accountability and measure policy impact.

Two side events were also held: one on inclusive employment and private sector partnerships and another on digital accessibility in the Middle East and North Africa, showcasing regional initiatives aimed at ensuring equal access to digital services and technologies.

At the closing session, Tareq Nabulsi, Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of Social Development and Policies at the League of Arab States, noted that the conference served as a key regional milestone. He stated that the Arab League Secretariat will coordinate with the Council of Arab Ministers for Social Affairs to submit the conference recommendations for approval at its upcoming executive meeting in October to secure political support across Arab states.

Sheikha Aisha bint Mubarak Al Thani, Advisor at Qatar's Ministry of Social Development and Family, highlighted that Qatar's hosting of the 4th Global Disability Summit in 2028 reflects its commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. She announced that Qatar has begun organizational preparations, with preparatory meetings set for 2027 and an international forum planned for December 2026. The 2028 summit will be held in a hybrid format to ensure broad participation.

Nawaf Kabbara, President of the International Disability Alliance and the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities, called for moving from commitments to action, emphasizing that the Amman-Berlin Declaration must produce tangible changes. He urged Arab nations to adopt clear national plans, allocate necessary resources, and embody the principle of "Nothing About Us Without Us." HCD Secretary-General Muhannad Al-Azza emphasized that the conference aimed to maintain momentum following the Global Disability Summit 2025 and ensure commitments translate into continuous execution rather than remaining symbolic. He expressed hope that concrete progress would be made ahead of the upcoming summit in Doha.

In their final recommendations, participants called on Arab states to report their implementation progress to the Arab League and adopt the Second Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities (2023–2032) as the primary framework for the Amman-Berlin Declaration.

Recommendations also called for enhanced disaggregated data collection, expanded partnerships with the private sector through the Union of Arab Chambers to foster inclusive employment, and a greater role for media in promoting disability rights.

Participants expressed their gratitude to Jordan, its leadership, and its government for hosting the event, praising Prince Mired's patronage and the organizing efforts of the HCD and the Ministry of Social Development.

//Petra// AF