- They are more likely to live in poverty;
- They continue to face discrimination in employment, receiving lower wages and being overrepresented in the informal sector;
- Social protection systems are uneven in coverage and inadequate when considering extra disability-related costs, frequently excluding persons with disabilities in the informal sector; and,
- Many persons with disabilities’ experiences within care and support systems continue to be marked by the denial of their dignity, autonomy and agency.
The three core themes of social development, i.e. poverty eradication; promotion of full and productive employment and decent work for all; and social integration, are interrelated, mutually reinforcing and require an enabling environment so as to be achieved simultaneously. The inclusion of persons with disabilities as both agents and beneficiaries of social development is indispensable. Disability inclusion in all aspects of social, economic, cultural and political life is therefore an imperative. The theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025, “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress”, builds on the reaffirmed commitment of world leaders gathered at the Second World Summit for Social Development to build a more just, inclusive, equitable and sustainable world and their understanding that advancing progress on social development depends on, and indeed necessitates, the inclusion of all segments of society. Let's discuss about How can we achieve disability inclusion?; Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EveryoneIncluded, #3December, #DisabilityInclusionStrategy, #DisabilityDay, #IDPD on social medias.
EVENT: On December 3rd, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (EST), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) will commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) under the theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” The virtual event will gather Member States, UN entities, civil society, and experts to discuss inclusive social protection, assistive technology, awareness-raising, youth leadership, and access to care.
10:00-10:30am: Opening Segment.
The opening segment will explore ways of achieving disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress through the framework of the Doha Political Declaration. Speakers will discuss how the Doha Political Declaration integrates disability inclusion and how it can assist Member States, as a framework replete with practical tools and solutions, to achieve social development for, with and by persons with disabilities.
The opening segment will explore ways of achieving disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress through the framework of the Doha Political Declaration. Speakers will discuss how the Doha Political Declaration integrates disability inclusion and how it can assist Member States, as a framework replete with practical tools and solutions, to achieve social development for, with and by persons with disabilities.
10:30am-11:30am: Panel Discussion.
The online panel discussion will focus on key areas of disability inclusion and discuss enabling factors that are critical to achieving disability inclusion, thereby contributing to advancing progress in social development.
The following key points will structure the discussion and guide panellists when sharing their presentations and insights:
- Highlighting promising practices, practical examples and case studies;
- How the Doha Political Declaration and the Programme of Action for Social Development can be harnessed and utilised to accelerate momentum and progress towards disability inclusive societies and social progress; and
- Outlook on future developments and challenges to fostering disability inclusion as a means of advancing social progress and development.
We encourage our community to join this conversation virtually, which will also highlight how the Doha Political Declaration provides a framework for strengthening disability inclusion globally. For more information on the event, please read the Concept note. Subscription via zoom; Register to participate!
Statement of the U.N. Secretary-General on behalf the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025.
People with disabilities are transforming societies — leading innovation, influencing policy, and mobilizing for justice. Yet too often, they are denied a seat at the decision-making table.
The Doha Political Declaration, adopted at last month’s World Summit for Social Development, reaffirms a critical truth: there can be no sustainable development without the inclusion of people with disabilities.
People with disabilities drive progress that benefits us all. Their leadership has improved disaster preparedness, expanded inclusive education and employment, and ensured humanitarian responses reach those most at risk.
Many innovations that shape our daily lives — from text messaging to voice-activated technology — began as solutions developed by and for people with disabilities.
Yet systemic barriers persist: discrimination, poverty, and inaccessible services continue to limit the participation of the over one billion people with disabilities worldwide.
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us commit to working side-by-side with persons with disabilities in all their diversity, as equal partners.
When inclusion is real, everyone benefits. Together, we can build more accessible, resilient societies where all of us thrive.
António Guterres.
Dr Tedros; WHO Director-General.
PUBLICATION: The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations. Through the Strategy, the United Nations system reaffirms that the full and complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2025, the Secretary-General submitted his sixth report on disability inclusion in the UN system. Building on six years of implementation, this year’s system-wide report reflects on the progress made to advance disability inclusion between 2019 to 2024, celebrates key achievements, and outlines priorities for accelerating system-wide change. The recommendations lay out the Secretary-General’s vision for the future of UNDIS, setting a higher standard and inspiring transformative, system-wide progress on disability inclusion.
