Statement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Celebrating Inclusion and Empowerment

3 Dec 2025

Statement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Celebrating Inclusion and Empowerment

Today, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya joins people around the world to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities — a global initiative dedicated to promoting awareness, inclusion, and equality for persons with disabilities. 

On this day, we promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It is an opportunity to highlight progress and challenges in disability inclusion and meaningful participation in all areas of life and increase understanding of disability and accessibility issues. 

“Persons with disabilities have always been agents of change in their communities — our responsibility is to ensure that the systems around them enable, rather than obstruct, their full participation,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh. “In Libya, this means moving beyond awareness to practical reforms: accessible services, inclusive policies, and opportunities that recognise the talent and leadership of persons with disabilities. When inclusion becomes the norm, not the exception, the whole of society moves forward.” 

The theme for 2025 is “fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress”. This theme underscores the importance of collaboration and leadership across all sectors. UNSMIL remains committed to: 

  • Putting inclusive leadership into action by empowering persons with disabilities as decision-makers to transition from lived experience to lasting impact; 

  • Advancing accessibility and equality in workplaces, schools, and public spaces; 

  • Turning commitments into results by integrating disability inclusion into the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

Our efforts aim to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in humanitarian response, recovery, and peacebuilding processes. Inclusion is not optional; it is a fundamental human right. 

We call on all partners and stakeholders to join us in creating an environment where persons with disabilities can thrive and contribute to building a peaceful and prosperous Libya.