AMMAN — HH Prince Mired bin Raad, Chief Chamberlain and President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), on Monday said that Jordan is implementing initiatives for persons with disabilities aimed at fostering a supportive family and community environment that promotes their full inclusion.

 

In a recorded speech at the opening of the 18th session of the “World Conference 2025 — We are Inclusion,” held in Sharjah, UAE, Prince Mired expressed his pleasure at the success of structured initiatives in housing, educational environment, independent living, education, and employment, prioritising persons with intellectual disabilities.

 

He also commended the conference’s efforts in advancing the inherent rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, particularly in Arab countries where this group continues to need support, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi inaugurated the conference, which is being hosted for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa and organised by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

 

In a recorded address, Chairperson of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services Sheikha Jamila bint Mohammed Al Qasimi extended a warm welcome to conference guests from across the world.

 

“The conference adopted the slogan ‘We are Inclusion’ because we believe that inclusion is not just an idea or a goal, but a core value we uphold,” Sheikha Jamila said.

 

“This gathering, uniting the voices of advocates and their families with those of policymakers and community members, demonstrates that our united voices can become a powerful force in creating a more inclusive and just world,” she added.

 

In her speech, she highlighted the city’s efforts over more than four decades to support and empower persons with disabilities, with a focus on defending their rights, promoting their inclusion, and enhancing their abilities.

 

Sheikha Jamila also stressed the significance of the conference in raising awareness and achieving the objectives of services for persons with disabilities, noting that the event empowers self-advocates understanding their rights, expressing their views, requesting the support they need to make informed decisions, and collaborating as a team to address issues that concern them.

 

The conference aims to empower self-advocates through training in advocacy and decision-making skills, while highlighting intellectual disability from an international human rights and humanitarian perspective.

 

It also seeks to showcase inspiring experiences of self-advocates from around the world, promote inclusive policies and practices, and foster partnerships and cooperation among civil society, government institutions, and the private sector.