PURPOSE: The celebration of the 3 December as International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. Member States, civil society organizations and the private sector are welcome to organize their own events to celebrate the International Day to promote the rights and perspectives of persons with disabilities around the world.

FORUM: “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. Across all regions, persons with disabilities and their households face challenges and barriers in the attainment of social development objectives:

• 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.
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!

At UNDESA, on December 3rd, we will commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025 under the theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” This year’s observance builds directly on the momentum of the Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha in 4-6 November 2025, where world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a just, inclusive and equitable world. A Call to Place Disability Inclusion at the Centre of Social Progress. The Doha Political Declaration reminds the global community that advancing social development is impossible without the full inclusion, participation and leadership of persons with disabilities. Yet, in every region, persons with disabilities continue to face persistent barriers:

• Higher risks of poverty

• Limited access to decent work and lower wages

• Gaps in social protection, especially for those in the informal sector

• Barriers to autonomy, dignity and agency within care and support systems

• Unequal access to assistive technologies and accessible environments

As countries work to accelerate progress on poverty eradication, productive employment, and social inclusion, disability inclusion remains both a precondition and a driver of lasting change.

PUBLICATIONS: The African Journal of Disability(AJOD) features a dedicated themed collection focusing on 'Evidence informed action in promoting disability inclusion in Africa' and highlighting disability research. The journal introduce and discuss issues and experiences relating to and supporting the act of better understanding the interfaces between disability, poverty and practices of exclusion and marginalisation. Its articles yield new insight into established human development practices, evaluate new educational techniques and disability research, examine current cultural and social discrimination, and bring serious critical analysis to bear on problems shared across the African continent. Emphasis is on all aspects of disability particularity in the developing African context. This includes, amongst others:

• disability studies as an emerging field of public health enquiry

• rehabilitation, including vocational and community-based rehabilitation

• community development and medical issues related to disability and poverty

• disability-related stigma and discrimination

• inclusive education

• legal, policy, human rights and advocacy issues related to disability

• the role of arts and media in relation to disability

• disability as part of global Sustainable Development Goals transformation agendas

• disability and postcolonial issues

• globalisation and cultural change in relation to disability

• environmental and climate-related issues linked to disability

• disability, diversity and intersections of identity

• disability and the promotion of human development.

Read the full AJOD Volume 13 (Edition 2024)!

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of the U.N. Secretary-General on behalf the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025, the Statement from Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025; December 3rd, The UN Women statement for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 and the Statement of the UNDP Administrator on the International Day of the Persons with disabilities 2025; December 3rd.

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