Beirut: Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Duaij Al-Sabah affirmed Kuwait's commitment to Arab and international human rights conventions on promoting rights of persons with disabilities. This was highlighted during her speech at the opening of the regional conference organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut. The conference, titled "Towards Inclusive Employment and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems in the Arab Region: Challenges and Solutions," aims to economically empower persons with disabilities and promote their integration.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Ambassador Al-Sabah detailed the objectives of the conference, which include the launch of the Arab Charter for Employment Inclusion and boosting public-private sector partnerships. She emphasized Article 14 of Kuwait's Law No. 8/2010, which mandates a minimum 4 percent inclusion rate across sectors, aligning with Kuwait's Vision 2035 and the Government Action Plan for 2024-2027.
Sheikha Jawaher highlighted significant strides made by Kuwait in advancing disability rights. This includes the establishment of the National Committee in April 2025 to oversee the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the issuance of the Kuwait Code for Accessibility in February 2025. These initiatives aim to transform buildings into inclusive environments through universal design.
The launch of the Kuwait Reference for Disability 2025 was also described as a national milestone reaffirming the country's commitment to legislation and international agreements. The Municipal Council's Technical Committee has approved amendments to improve the tourism and hotel sectors, requiring that 25 percent of hotel units be allocated for persons with disabilities.
Al-Sabah also discussed the ongoing "Partners in Their Employment" campaign, active since 2018, which has resulted in the training of 381 persons with disabilities, allocation of 242 jobs, and successful employment of 79 individuals in the public sector and 163 in the private sector. On the sidelines of the conference, Sheikha Jawaher met with UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Dr. Rola Dashti to explore ways to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise in human rights.
Mehrinaz Al-Awadhi, Acting Deputy Executive Secretary for Programs at UN-ESCWA, emphasized the importance of empowering persons with disabilities as a development imperative. She noted the exclusion of these individuals from labor, social insurance, and pensions leads to poverty and wasted national potential.
Dr. Ruba Jaradat, Regional Director for Arab States at the International Labor Organization, highlighted the high unemployment rates faced by persons with disabilities, who represent 15 percent of the global population. She called for inclusive policies and training, noting that only 16 percent in the Arab region receive disability benefits, compared to 39 percent globally, emphasizing that inclusion is a shared responsibility.
Lebanese Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar stated that the conference serves as a platform to exchange Arab expertise on building inclusive labor systems, asserting that the right to work is essential for dignity, participation, and human-centered development.