New York: Social development is fundamentally incomplete without the active participation of persons with disabilities, according to the Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare and head of the State Welfare Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Addressing the 18th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York, Seyyed Javad Hosseini emphasized the unique perspectives that individuals with disabilities bring, which are often shaped by their lived experiences.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Hosseini highlighted Iran’s commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities, noting that the country ratified the Convention in 2009 and enacted the ‘Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ in 2018. The nation’s efforts include educational programs in schools and universities to foster equality and respect, support for artistic and literary expressions by persons with disabilities, and media campaigns aimed at combating discrimination and stereotypes.

Hosseini underscored the importance of involving persons with disabilities in policy-making, particularly through digital technologies that enhance public awareness of their rights. He stressed that any society aiming for genuine progress must leverage the full range of its capacities, including the contributions of individuals with disabilities.

Iran is actively implementing community-based programs, empowerment initiatives, and fostering networks of NGOs that focus on persons with disabilities. These steps are part of the country’s broader strategy to integrate the capacities of individuals with disabilities into social development.

Hosseini expressed hope that societies worldwide will work towards increasing social awareness regarding the rights of persons with disabilities and their critical role in sustainable social development.