Bangladesh reaffirmed its national commitment to advancing disability inclusion as government leaders, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), UN agencies, civil society, youth representatives, and development partners gathered for the National Observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025.
The event, held on Thursday, at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center (BCFCC) in Dhaka, centered on the theme “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”
Jointly organized by the Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Program of UNDP and Sightsavers’ Equal Bangladesh Campaign—with funding from the Australian Government and technical support from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, ILO, UN Women, UNICEF, and WFP—the daylong national symposium placed persons with disabilities, especially youth, at the center of the conversation on rights, accessibility, and inclusive development.
Bangladesh has made significant policy commitments over the past decade, yet many people with disabilities continue to face barriers in education, employment, public services, and decision-making spaces. This year’s observance focused on bridging these gaps through coordinated action and concrete national commitments.
Chief Guest Sharmeen S Murshid, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare, called for a strengthened national movement.
“Our society cannot be truly inclusive unless we fully consider the needs of persons with disabilities. Inclusion begins with accurate data, functional structures, and accessible systems,” she said.
She further committed to activating the national coordination committee.
James Goldman, Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission and Development Director, said: “The UK stands ready to partner with Bangladesh and like-minded agencies to make inclusion a reality. We truly believe we can build a future where every person with a disability is seen, supported, and celebrated.”
Reaffirming multilateral support, Max Tunon, Country Director of ILO, emphasized accessible and dignified pathways to employment. “At the ILO, we are committed to building a labor market where persons with disabilities are not only given opportunities, but fully empowered to thrive with dignity.”
UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative-OIC Dragan Popovic added: “From policy reform to mainstreaming disability across justice, governance, and gender programs, UNDP is committed to making inclusion a reality—not just in laws, but in people’s everyday lives.”
Tessa Murphy, Head of Global Campaigns at Sightsavers UK; Muhammad Hiruzzaman, director general of the National Institute of Mass Communication; and Md Saidur Rahman Khan, director general of the Department of Social Services, along with senior government officials and UN representatives, also shared insights on advancing disability inclusion nationwide.
The event opened with a welcome from Amrita Rejina Rozario, Country Director of Sightsavers Bangladesh. A joint keynote followed, delivered by Aminul Arifeen, Project Manager of the SSPS Program at UNDP, and Ayon Debnath, Campaign Adviser at Sightsavers, outlining a strategic roadmap for a disability-inclusive Bangladesh for 2026–2030.
Through a series of thematic sessions, the symposium explored the key pillars of disability inclusion—decent work and social protection, inclusive education and community support, and accessible infrastructure and digital inclusion. Each session presented actionable ideas, reinforcing a collective commitment to ensure that Bangladesh’s journey toward inclusion is both transformative and sustainable.
The symposium concluded with renewed commitments from government officials, development partners, OPDs, and civil society organizations to work together to implement the 2026–2030 roadmap and build an “Equal Bangladesh” where no one is left behind.
