Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs, Family Affairs and Childhood Amthal Al-Huwailah underlined Tuesday commitment to keeping fervent efforts at both national and international levels to improve services and programs for disabled persons.
The minister made the remark while addressing the 18th UN Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18), held at the UN headquarters from June 9 to 12.
She said that Kuwait's efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in the society have produced such tangible results as joining the Amman-Berlin Declaration that was adopted by the Third Global Disability Summit and including persons with disabilities in entrepreneurship programs, which have benefitted 235 employees.
The minister added that inclusive employment policies have been carried out in the labour market in both public and private sectors, and pieces of legislation enacted to ensure their
employment in appropriate jobs.
Al-Huwailah pointed out that workplaces have been prepared through applying building code laws in place to all state facilities.
She remarked that several national projects were carried out for persons with disabilities, citing a high-level permanent national committee to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18).
The minister also cited a permanent national committee to prepare reports and follow up on recommendations pertinent to human rights, with representatives from all relevant ministries
and state agencies as members, in consultation with civil society organisations.
She noted the updating and publishing of the Kuwait Disability Guide 2025, in collaboration with various stakeholders, with a view to creating a comprehensive national reference that considers international best practices.
In this context, she restated Kuwait's commitment to partaking in this important annual conference, which reflects unwavering international interest in the rights of persons with disabilities by ensuring their active involvement in various aspects of life and promoting social development policies, whether through innovative financing or artificial intelligence (AI).
The Kuwaiti minister concluded by saying that her country seeks to create an inclusive environment for persons with disabilities by means of establishing the principle of equal opportunity, adopting policies that support social, health, and educational integration standards, and creating decent employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.