Rahab Boursali: The Gulf Virtual Exhibition for People with Disabilities is an Innovative Digital Platform

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Mission to the United Nations in Geneva launched the Virtual GCC Exhibition for Persons with Disabilities on Friday as a digital platform, with Kuwaiti participation, marking the 20th anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The event was held by the GCC Mission in Geneva on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council session on enhancing the preparation of disability-related reports. Rehaa Bursali, a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Association for Parents of Persons with Disabilities, participated as a keynote speaker.

Also in attendance were Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hinai, and an official delegation from the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities, including Dr. Khalifa Al-Hail, Deputy Director General of the Medical, Psychological, and Social Services Sector, and Dr. Bahiya Al-Abdulhadi, Observer of the Director General’s Office.

In a statement to KUNA, Bursali highlighted the importance of performance indicators in monitoring the implementation of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She noted that organizing this event and launching the exhibition coincides with the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Convention, which represents a humanitarian and civilizational milestone globally. This milestone has contributed to changing the world’s perception of persons with disabilities and consolidating their cause as a human rights issue based on principles of equality, non-discrimination, and ensuring full and effective participation in society.

Bursali emphasized that true achievement is manifested in reality, not merely in charters, treaties, and laws. She also underscored the importance of monitoring and follow-up efforts to transparently assess progress and identify areas for development amidst the challenges societies face in translating legal commitments and policies into tangible realities for persons with disabilities in their daily lives.

She explained that this contributes to supporting ambitious visions to improve the health, social, cultural, and sports care levels for persons with disabilities, enhancing their psychological and social stability, securing their needs, unleashing their energies and creativity, granting them full opportunities for self-realization, and preparing a suitable environment for their integration into society as key partners.

Bursali stated that the GCC countries’ organization of the side event and highlighting the importance of monitoring indicators and leveraging achievements to drive further development demonstrate the high level of support and care the GCC states provide to persons with disabilities, along with the serious steps taken to improve their quality of life.

She praised the launch of the Virtual GCC Exhibition for Persons with Disabilities, considering it an innovative digital platform that transcends the geographical and physical barriers associated with traditional exhibitions. It provides a digital environment that accommodates accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities, contributing to enhancing social, cultural, and economic inclusion, and showcasing their capabilities, talents, products, and services.

She clarified that the exhibition facilitates building communication bridges between persons with disabilities, the private sector, government institutions, organizations, and civil society. It also serves as a practical tool for empowerment and participation, promoting a positive image of persons with disabilities as active and productive partners in society.

In the same context, Bursali expressed her pride in the participation of Kuwaiti athlete Mariam Diab, a self-advocate and former international spokesperson for the Special Olympics for the Middle East and North Africa region, as one of the outcomes of Kuwait’s disability care system, at the opening of the Virtual GCC Exhibition.

She affirmed that this participation reflects the importance of providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to express themselves, participate in international events, and highlight their experiences and capabilities as partners in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.

At the conclusion of the event, Mariam Diab, a self-advocate with Down syndrome, officially opened the accompanying virtual exhibition.