The League of Arab States and its member states commemorate the Arab Day for Persons with Disabilities, as established by the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs. Observed annually on 13 December, this occasion reaffirms the Arab commitment to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities and promoting their full and effective participation in society.
The League notes that the observance of this day reflects its commitment to monitoring the implementation of relevant Arab and international obligations, most notably the declaration issued by the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, November 2025), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the related goals of the 2030 Agenda. In this context, the 45th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, scheduled to be held in Amman, Jordan, is expected to adopt several important resolutions in this field, thereby supporting the efforts of Arab states to fulfil these commitments.
The League of Arab States further affirms that, in coordination with its member states, it continues to implement the initiative launched by His Excellency the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, entitled The Second Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities (2023–2032). This initiative was adopted by the Arab Summit held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2023, the highest decision-making body within the Arab system. The Decade constitutes a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at strengthening national and regional efforts in the areas of protection, empowerment, and inclusion, thereby ensuring the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Within this framework, the League gives particular importance to the implementation of the Arab Classification of Disability initiative, one of the key initiatives of the Second Arab Decade. This classification represents a pivotal tool for harmonising concepts, standardising data collection, and developing more effective and accurate national systems.
In line with this commitment, the League of Arab States, in cooperation with the Republic of Tunisia, will organise a specialised workshop for officials responsible for disability-related issues in Arab countries. The workshop will focus on capacity building and on clarifying the technical and practical aspects of implementing the classification at the national level, in accordance with international best practices and with a view to strengthening regional cooperation in this field.
On this occasion, the League of Arab States renews its call for sustained joint Arab action to advance the rights of persons with disabilities and to intensify efforts to build inclusive societies that guarantee their dignity and equal opportunities for all, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the regional and international commitments of member states.
