Global Disability Summit

🔠 Introducing the A to Z of GDS 🌍 Disability inclusion is broad, complex, and interconnected. Through this series, we’ll break down key concepts, highlight why they matter, and show how the Global Disability Summit is addressing them. From Commitments to national ownership, each post will unpack a crucial element of the GDS mechanism—making technical discussions more accessible and engaging. We’re starting with A is for Advocacy 2.0—because the future of advocacy is digital, dynamic, and led by persons with disabilities. Read on below ⬇️ 📣 A is for Advocacy 2.0 Advocacy 2.0 refers to the next generation of activism, where digital tools and social media empower persons with disabilities and their organizations (OPDs) to drive change. It’s about moving beyond traditional advocacy to create a participatory, inclusive, and global movement for disability rights. ➡️ What does it mean for the GDS? At GDS, Advocacy 2.0 ensures OPDs are at the forefront. They don’t just participate—they lead, shape policies, and drive global commitments through online consultations, digital feedback, and storytelling. Their voices guide the Summit’s outcomes, making Advocacy 2.0 a central force for advancing disability inclusion worldwide. Building and delivering the GDS is a continuous advocacy effort, involving conversations with multiple partners—including governments, civil society, and the private sector. This ongoing engagement ensures that disability inclusion remains central to the global agenda, translating advocacy into real, impactful change. ▶️ Kickstart your advocacy journey with the GDS Advocacy Toolkit. Click here to access the Toolkit in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, German, Easy Read and International Sign: https://lnkd.in/g_YV7zh8

We proudly hosted the Asian Regional Disability Summit from 14-15 February, marking a significant milestone for disability rights in Asia! 🌏 Co-hosted by the International Disability Alliance and the #ASEAN Disability Forum, with the support of Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UNICEF, and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the summit brought together governments, OPDs, civil society, and the private sector—a powerful step toward advancing disability inclusion in the largest continent! As the first-ever regional summit of its kind, it laid the foundation for stronger collaboration and ambitious regional commitments ahead of the #GDS2025. Swipe through to hear key messages from our co-hosts and partners. 👇

🎬 And that’s a wrap on the Asian Regional Disability Summit - the final regional summit before the Global Disability Summit 2025! Over the past two days, governments, OPDs, civil society, and development partners came together to drive forward disability inclusion in Asia. From inclusive employment and social protection to climate action and disaster risk reduction, the discussions have set the stage for stronger commitments from the region. All of this culminated into the launch of the outcome document prepared by the co-hosts, which outlines bold actions and concrete commitments that will directly feed into #GDS2025. With this summit, the regional consultations leading up to GDS 2025 have concluded. We now move forward with renewed energy, ready to turn these crucial insights into commitments! Stay tuned for impact stories from the successful regional Summit.

⏰ The Asian Regional Disability Summit is about to start! The pre-Summit being held in Bangkok presents a vital platform for advancing disability inclusion in Asia. As one of the final regional summits before #GDS2025, it will reflect on past commitments and gather new ones to drive meaningful change. Discussions will focus on: ✅ Disability-inclusive development 🌏 ✅ Gender equality and inclusion of women and girls ♀️ ✅ Inclusive employment opportunities 💼 ✅ Poverty alleviation and social protection 🏠 ✅ Climate resilience and disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction 🌱 ✅ Access to health, including #SHRH and post-COVID recovery 🏥 By addressing these priorities, the summit will ensure that Asia’s challenges, progress, and commitments are directly reflected in the GDS2025, while advancing the implementation of the CRPD across the region. Stay tuned for more updates. #RoadToBerlin #AsianRegionalDisabilitySummit #CommitToChange International Disability Alliance | Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) | UNICEF East Asia and Pacific | Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

🌍 As the #RoadToBerlin continues, the Asian Regional Disability Summit is set to provide crucial insights into the future of disability inclusion across Asia. From Nairobi to Bangkok, the regional summits have provided valuable input into the #GDS2025 agenda, and this summit will continue the momentum. It’s a key opportunity to ensure that regional voices are heard as we move towards a more inclusive future. The co-hosts aim to use this opportunity to discuss regional issues and opportunities on disability, gather commitments for GDS 2025, and get signatories for the Amman-Berlin declaration. Stay tuned for more updates from Bangkok! #AsianDisabilitySummit #CommitToChange International Disability Alliance | Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) | UNICEF East Asia and Pacific | UNICEF | Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

🌍 Calling all Youth With Disabilities! The International Disability Alliance ’s Youth Committee, supported by UNICEF and Sightsavers, is calling on Youth With Disabilities to shape the Youth Call to Action for the GDS 2025. This survey is your chance to share the barriers you face, the opportunities you need, and the changes you want to see. Your insights will directly influence global commitments for a more inclusive and accessible world. Your responses are anonymous and will help develop the key action statements in the Youth Call to Action presented at GDS 2025. 📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 📝 Take the survey now and be part of this crucial movement! Share it with your network to amplify the voices of young people with disabilities worldwide. Link to survey: https://lnkd.in/gSu6Jayf

🌏 As the road to Berlin for GDS2025 draws closer, the Asian Regional Disability Summit on 14–15 February 2025 in Bangkok marks a critical milestone. Co-hosted by the International Disability Alliance and the ASEAN Disability Forum, with support from Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UNICEF, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and UK Aid's Inclusive Futures, this summit builds on the momentum of previous regional gatherings – from Nairobi to now. By embedding the GDS mechanism at the regional level, it ensures that Asia’s voices, challenges, and priorities are included at the global stage. Stay tuned for more information! To know more about the GDS Regional Summits held till now: https://lnkd.in/gTD65rhd #CommitToChange #RoadtoBerlin #AsianRegionalDisabilitySummit

Yesterday, the Thematic Pre-Summit on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities took place in WHO headquarters in Geneva, bringing together experts and key stakeholders to drive action towards more inclusive health systems. The discussions emphasized the need for concrete commitments, stronger collaboration, and continued advocacy to ensure health equity for persons with disabilities. 🗣️ Jose Maria Viera, Interim ED of the International Disability Alliance (IDA), who moderated the session, stressed the importance of turning political will into concrete rights for persons with disabilities, particularly in health systems. 🗣️ Hans-peter Baur, Commissioner for the GDS, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) spoke about the efforts by the co-hosts, highlighting the collaboration between the Ministry of Health of Jordan and World Health Organization in Jordan, who are pledging to continue improving accessibility in Jordan's primary healthcare facilities for persons with disabilities. He emphasized that this commitment is a strong example of how a national government and global health actor can join forces to make impactful, long-lasting changes. 🗣️ Dr Ola Abualghaib, Director of the Global Disability Fund Secretariat, discussed the urgent need to strengthen the connections between mainstream health services and disability services. She highlighted the importance of data, rehabilitation, and ensuring better coordination between ministries of health and disability affairs. 🗣️ Mirriam Nthenge, Human Rights Adviser at IDA emphasized the crucial role OPDs have played in ensuring that persons with disabilities, especially women, are included in health programs such as sexual and reproductive health and maternal care. She shared how OPDs, with the support of IDA, have used lobbying, advocacy, and litigation to create change. The event made it clear that concrete commitments, adequate funding, and stronger collaboration are crucial to improving the lives of 1.3 billion persons with disabilities and building more inclusive health systems. With the #GDS2025 being less than 60 days way, we hope that this platform will play a key role in advancing health equity and ensuring persons with disabilities are fully included in health initiatives worldwide.

Leading up to Global Disability Summit (#GDS2025), the Thematic Pre-Summit on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities brought together expert voices to drive action on inclusive health systems. Some key messages included: 💡 Malin Ekman Alden, Director General, Swedish Agency for Participation, reaffirmed Sweden’s longstanding support for the Global Disability Fund and International Disability Alliance recognizing them as crucial in advancing #HealthEquity. Ms. Ekman-Aldén emphasized #GDS2025 as a pivotal moment to drive meaningful progress. 💡 Jose Maria Viera, Executive Director, IDA, underscored health as a top priority for persons with disabilities worldwide. Mr. Viera highlighted the #GDS2025 as a key platform to make significant strides toward health equity for all. 💡 Dr Ola Abualghaib, Director of the Global Disability Fund Secretariat, stressed the need for collective action to advance health equity. While acknowledging progress, Dr. Abualghaib emphasized the urgency of accelerating inclusive policies, increasing funding, and expanding access to services to drive real impact. 👉 Key takeaways: ✅ To improve the lives of 1.3 billion persons with disabilities, we need concrete commitments, adequate funding, and strong collaboration to strengthen health services for all, in all contexts. ✅The #GDS2025 presents an ideal global platform for health and disability actors to take a big step towards prioritizing health equity for persons with disabilities.

📢 Join us today for the Thematic Pre-Summit on Health equity for persons with disabilities leading up to the GDS 2025 📆 6 February, 13.00-14.00 CET Sweden, the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the Global Disability Fund (formerly, the UNPRPD), and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) are jointly organizing an event on Health equity for persons with disabilities. This event aims to galvanise recognition and commitments on disability inclusion in health in the lead-up to the #GDS2025. Want to get a closer look at the health-related commitments at GDS? Read our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gDV5s3gh Don't miss this opportunity to join the conversation and learn more about health equity for persons with disabilities. ✅ Link to register: https://bit.ly/3WvjLTi