Lebanon's Ministry of Social Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), launched the National Strategy for the Rights and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Lebanon (2026-2030), in a move aimed at upholding rights and promoting inclusion and equal participation. The launch took place at an official ceremony at the Grand Serail in Beirut, under the patronage and in the presence of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
The Strategy translates Lebanon's commitment to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into a five-year course of action encompassing tangible reforms, policies, programmes and projects. It lays the foundation for a fundamental shift from a welfare-based approach to disability towards one grounded in rights, citizenship, equality and active participation, placing the rights of persons with disabilities at the heart of public policy, development and social justice.
To illustrate the barriers that limit access to public spaces for persons with disabilities, the launch ceremony featured an interactive virtual reality experience in which the Prime Minister took part. The experience demonstrated how the design of public spaces can restrict access and participation, highlighting the need to adopt accessibility and universal design principles so that everyone can access and use these spaces on an equal basis.
The ceremony also featured an interactive dialogue bringing together persons with disabilities and their representative organizations with participating ministers. Discussions focused on barriers, priorities and the practical measures needed to implement the Strategy across different sectors. The programme concluded with ministers announcing concrete commitments and recording them on a shared commitment wall under the slogan "Together for an inclusive Lebanon".
Opening remarks
The opening ceremony featured statements by Salam, Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed, UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rania Al-Mashat, and UNFP Representative Anandita Philipose.
"Bridging the gap between rights on paper and those in practice is an integral part of our government reform agenda. Reform is not limited to public finances, the banking sector and public administration. It also means building fairer, more effective institutions that serve all citizens without exception," Salam said. Speaking to persons with disabilities, he stressed: "You are not guests in this Strategy. You are partners in its development, and you must remain partners in its implementation, monitoring and accountability."
"This Strategy is not simply another document issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is a State strategy and a responsibility shared across all public institutions and ministries," Sayed underscored. She added that it charted a clear path for the next five years, and its success would ultimately be measured by whether every citizen is able to learn, work and participate. "Only then will we have truly moved from 'All of us for the nation' to 'a nation for all'," she concluded.
"The launch of this Strategy is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new phase focused on implementation and on turning rights and principles into tangible realities in the lives of persons with disabilities," A-Mashat said. "ESCWA will continue to support Lebanon on this path and work alongside the Government, persons with disabilities and their organizations, and all partners to ensure that the Strategy's priorities are translated into concrete action that advances full participation and inclusion," she emphasized.
Finally, Philipose reaffirmed the continued support of UNFPA to the Lebanese Government in translating its commitments to the rights of persons with disabilities into concrete policies, legislation and budgets, towards a more just and inclusive society that upholds autonomy, dignity and full participation for all.
The Strategy
The Strategy is built around ten national pillars: legislation; disability assessment, determination and diagnosis; education; healthcare; social and legal protection; economic empowerment and employment; accessibility to ensure independence and participation; social and behavioural change for inclusion; participation in political and public life; and participation in cultural, tourism and sports activities.
The Strategy also sets out a roadmap for building an inclusive emergency management system that ensures persons with disabilities receive protection and assistance with dignity on an equal basis throughout all phases of emergency management. These include preparedness, response and recovery, as well as access to life-saving services, safe evacuation, shelter and health care.
On governance and implementation, the Strategy provides for the development of a national coordination framework that defines roles and responsibilities and strengthens coherence among stakeholders. It also establishes a clear mechanism for monitoring, follow-up, accountability, and measuring progress in implementation. The active participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations is a cornerstone of every stage, from planning and implementation to monitoring and decision-making.
