The Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity recently hosted the inaugural coordination meeting with partner entities involved in working with persons with disabilities. The meeting sought to prepare a national vision for the executive plan to implement the principles of the 'Amman-Berlin Declaration.' The meeting was chaired by Engineer Margret Saroufim, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity, alongside Dr. Eman Karim, General Supervisor of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
The 'Amman-Berlin Declaration' aims to enhance the rights of persons with disabilities, ensuring their full and effective participation in society, and integrating disability issues into development plans. This aligns with Egypt's commitment to adopting the declaration's principles and implementing joint recommendations from the Arab Regional Conference. These recommendations included developing a model to help member states promote the integration and care of persons with disabilities.
The coordination meeting sought to discuss mechanisms for preparing a national proposal reflecting Egypt's vision for empowering persons with disabilities. This proposal will be in line with Egypt's national agenda and the 2026-2030 National Strategy for Empowering Persons with Disabilities. The strategy aims to enhance the integration of disability issues into various aspects of life.
Deputy Minister Saroufim emphasized that the meeting marked a crucial step towards formulating a shared national vision and preparing a national report reviewing the reality of persons with disabilities in Egypt. The report will highlight the state's efforts and developments in this field, along with a comprehensive vision for the executive plan of the 'Amman-Berlin Declaration.'
The meeting involved representatives from various national entities, including the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, and executives from funds dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities and elderly care. Participants agreed to hold an expanded workshop with different parties and partner entities working on disability issues. This workshop will contribute to preparing a unified strategic framework, including indicators reflecting Egypt's efforts.
The workshop aims to form a working group responsible for preparing a national Egyptian framework proposal. This proposal will review the state's achievements in disability issues, identify gaps requiring further work, and establish a model for implementation. The national framework will be presented at the Fourth Global Disability Summit in Doha, Qatar, in 2028.
Key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, and various funds, will collaborate to ensure effective implementation. The national vision will focus on translating national, international, and regional commitments into actionable steps, promoting equal opportunities, and enhancing the integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Key points
- Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity leads national efforts to implement the 'Amman-Berlin Declaration,' focusing on empowering persons with disabilities and promoting their integration into society.
