On December 6, 2024, the European Regional Disability Summit 2024 took place at the Berlin Congress Center (bcc), bringing together policymakers, disability rights advocates, and experts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, support inclusive development, and enhance humanitarian policies across Europe and Central Asia.
Members of the International Union of Organizations of Disabled Persons (IUDPO) actively participated in the summit, engaging in discussions on key issues. The event was opened by Hubertus Heil, Germany’s Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, with welcoming remarks from Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum (EDF), among other high-level speakers.
The summit addressed critical topics such as inclusive development, employment, protection of persons with disabilities in crisis situations, and strengthening regional cooperation. Panel discussions featured activists, experts, and policymakers from various countries, sharing best practices and strategies for advancing disability rights.
The event concluded with the presentation of a joint document outlining priorities for the Global Disability Summit (GDS 2025). The summit served as a crucial platform for reinforcing inclusive policies and fostering collaboration to improve the lives of persons with disabilities across the region.
