Berlin : Osama bin Ahmed Al Asfoor, Minister of Social Development and Chair of the 44th Session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, participated in the high-level Arab event titled “Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship: Supporting Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities”, held on the sidelines of the Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin from April 2 to 3.
The summit was jointly organised by the International Disability Alliance, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The Arab event was organised by the Arab League, in cooperation with Jordan’s Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Arab Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), the International Disability Alliance, and the Executive Office of the Council of GCC Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs. It follows a resolution adopted at the ministerial meeting chaired by the Kingdom of Bahrain last December.
The event focused on the importance of enabling environments that promote independence for persons with disabilities through access to technology and support for entrepreneurship, key elements in improving quality of life and fostering economic and social inclusion.
The session brought together ministers, senior officials from Arab countries, representatives of regional and international organisations, entrepreneurs with disabilities, and subject-matter experts who exchanged best practices in assistive technologies, inclusive employment, and innovation.
In his remarks, Minister Al Asfoor underscored that technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship are essential tools in supporting persons with disabilities and integrating them into society. He noted the event reflects a joint Arab commitment to enabling persons with disabilities through progressive solutions.
He commended the organisers and highlighted how technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, offer unprecedented opportunities to improve daily living and increase autonomy.
Minister Al Asfoor also underscored Bahrain’s proactive role in launching initiatives aimed at promoting independence among persons with disabilities, including the ”Independent Living Initiative for People with Disabilities” hosted during the recent Arab Summit. He emphasised that Bahrain continues to leverage technology in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He called for sustained cooperation and knowledge exchange at the regional and international levels, reaffirming Bahrain’s commitment, through its presidency of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, to supporting inclusive policies and initiatives across the Arab world.
