Her Excellency Dr. Amthal Hadi Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs, announced today Kuwait's formal endorsement of the Berlin-Amman Declaration for Persons with Disabilities. The declaration was adopted during the third Global Disability Summit held in Berlin, Germany on April 2-3.

Kuwait's Commitment to Disability Inclusion

In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Minister Al-Huwailah emphasized that Kuwait's ratification of this pivotal international declaration reaffirms its longstanding commitment to:

• Protecting the rights of persons with disabilities

• Ensuring their full participation and integration in society

• Supporting developmental policies that guarantee dignified and sustainable livelihoods

Key Policy Priorities

The Minister highlighted Kuwait's endorsement of the "15% for 15%" principle, which advocates allocating at least 15% of international development programs to disability inclusion, reflecting the global population proportion of persons with disabilities.

Implementation Framework:

1. Inclusive Participation: Strengthening the role of disability organizations in planning, execution, and monitoring of programs

2. Data-Driven Policies: Enhancing accurate data collection for evidence-based policymaking

3. Equal Opportunities: Creating supportive environments for active participation in development

Strategic Alignment

Dr. Al-Huwailah underscored that this step aligns with:

• Kuwait’s National Vision 2035 for social justice and equality

• The nation’s humanitarian leadership in disability rights advocacy

• Directives from Kuwait’s political leadership to achieve comprehensive sustainable development

Global Disability Summit Context

The 3rd Global Disability Summit (Berlin, April 2-3) was co-hosted by:

• The German Government

• The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

• The International Disability Alliance

Participation:

• 100+ countries

• International organizations

• Civil society representatives

Objective:
Advancing global efforts toward full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.

Kuwait’s Leadership in Disability Rights

The Minister reaffirmed Kuwait’s pioneering role in:

• Adopting progressive disability policies (e.g., Law No. 8/2010)

• Championing international humanitarian initiatives

• Translating the Berlin-Amman Declaration into tangible outcomes for persons with disabilities

Next Steps:

• Policy Implementation: Operationalizing the declaration through national programs

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partnering with disability organizations

• Monitoring Progress: Ensuring accountability in disability-inclusive development