Global Disability Summit Concludes With Commitments To Inclusion

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, April 6 (Petra) – The Third Global Disability Summit (GDS) wrapped up last Thursday in Berlin with a series of concrete commitments aimed at advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
According to a statement from the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) on Sunday, persons with disabilities who make up 15% of the global population, or around 1.3 billion people are often excluded from development programs. In response to this gap, and amid shrinking funding for disability inclusion, the summit introduced a new target: ensuring that at least 15% of country-level development projects focus on the inclusion of persons with disabilities. The target was adopted in the "Amman-Berlin Declaration," endorsed by more than 80 governments and organizations.
The summit saw over 800 commitments announced by governments, private sector institutions, and development actors to improve accessibility and enable meaningful participation. Hosted jointly by the German government, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the event gathered 4,500 participants from around 100 countries, including persons with disabilities, government officials, and civil society leaders. More than 60 sessions addressed how to better implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and translate commitments into practical action.
In his opening address, His Majesty King Abdullah II called for ongoing efforts to ensure dignity, happiness, and hope for all, emphasizing that inclusion is not only about access but about recognizing human potential and creating environments where everyone can contribute.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed Germany's commitment to disability inclusion especially at a time when funding is being cut and endorsed the 15% target. He also announced a joint initiative with Jordan to promote inclusive education.
IDA President Nawaf Kabbara stressed that true inclusion cannot happen unless organizations of persons with disabilities are included in funding decisions. "Inclusion must be with organizations of persons with disabilities, not for them," he said.
The Amman-Berlin Declaration calls for at least 15% of development projects to be specifically designed to promote disability inclusion. Currently, only 6% of such projects contribute directly to this goal.
German Development Minister Svenja Schulze noted that development policy can only succeed through cooperation among all stakeholders. She described the declaration as a global commitment not just a pledge by donor countries and emphasized that real inclusion benefits not only the 15% of people with disabilities, but society as a whole.
Several major initiatives were unveiled during the summit. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office committed to launching an Assistive Technology Investment Mechanism through the AT2030 program, aiming to raise $60 million by 2026. It also pledged to co-chair the Global Action on Disability (GLAD) Network to strengthen global partnerships. UNICEF committed to allocating 10% of its annual budget to children with disabilities by 2030 and expanding data collection, inclusive education, and protection systems across 50 countries.
IDA pledged to strengthen organizations of persons with disabilities in more than 100 countries, launch a leadership program for 80 youth with disabilities, and partner with the UN Global Disability Fund to implement the UN Convention in 50 countries.
In Jordan, 88 national organizations including government entities, civil society groups, academia, media, and private sector institutions submitted 133 commitments to promote disability rights.
During a dedicated session, Minister of Education and Higher Education Azmi Mahafzah announced five strategic, rights-based commitments, including a JD90 million investment from the Association of Banks in Jordan, operating banks, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Higher Council to support inclusive education, health services, and the adaptation of 250 public schools. These commitments underscore Jordan's firm dedication to dignity, equality, and full participation for persons with disabilities.
A new partnership between Germany and the African Union was also announced to strengthen organizations of persons with disabilities across Africa, with a focus on youth and women. The multilateral "Education Cannot Wait" initiative will partner with Germany, the UK, IDA, and the Girls' Education Challenge to improve data collection and accountability in inclusive education in crisis-affected areas by 2028.
According to the HCD, all summit commitments will be published and monitored for transparency via the following link:
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The full Amman-Berlin Declaration, along with a list of endorsing parties, is available here
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The GDS is the world's leading platform for advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The first summit was held in London in 2017, followed by a virtual edition in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Berlin summit marked the third edition, jointly hosted by three partners with IDA serving as a permanent co-host.

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