GCC launches virtual Gulf exhibition for persons with disabilities in Geneva with Kuwaiti participation
Geneva, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Mission to the United Nations in Geneva launched today, Friday, the GCC Virtual Exhibition for Persons with Disabilities as a digital platform, with Kuwaiti participation, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The launch took place during an event organized by the GCC Mission in Geneva on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council session on enhancing the preparation of disability-related, indicator-based reports. The event featured as a keynote speaker Rehab Boursali, 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.
Also in attendance were Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hinai, along with an official delegation from the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities, including Dr. Khalifa Al-Hila, Deputy Director General of the Medical, Psychological, and Social Services Sector, and Dr. Bahiya Al-Abd Al-Hadi, Observer for the Office of the Director General.
In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Boursali 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 grounded in the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and ensuring full and effective participation in society.
Boursali emphasized that true achievement is manifested on the ground, not merely in charters, treaties, and laws. She also underscored the importance of monitoring and follow-up efforts to transparently assess progress made and identify areas for development, amid the challenges societies face in translating legal commitments and policies into tangible realities in the daily lives of persons with disabilities.
She explained that such efforts support ambitious visions to improve the health, social, cultural, and sports care levels for persons with disabilities, enhance their psychological and social stability, secure their needs, unleash their energies and creativity, provide them with full opportunities for self-realization, and create an enabling environment for their integration into society as key partners.
Boursali stated that the GCC countries’ organization of the side event and their focus on the importance of monitoring indicators and building on achievements to pursue further development reflect the high level of support and care the GCC states afford persons with disabilities, as well as the serious steps they are taking to improve their quality of life.
She praised the launch of the GCC Virtual Exhibition for Persons with Disabilities, describing it as 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, contributes to enhancing social, cultural, and economic inclusion, and highlights their capabilities, talents, products, and services.
She added 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, Boursali 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, and one of the success stories of Kuwait’s disability care system, in the opening of the GCC Virtual Exhibition.
She affirmed that this participation reflects the importance of providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to express themselves, participate in international events, and showcase their experiences and capabilities as partners in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.
At the conclusion of the event, self-advocate Mariam Diab, who has Down syndrome, officially opened the virtual exhibition accompanying the event. (End) A.M.Kh./M.M.J
