Indonesia prepares for ASEAN forum on disability inclusion

Jakarta, September 26 (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini led the preparation of the ASEAN High-Level Forum (AHLF) on Disability-Inclusive Development and Partnership Beyond 2025 in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Rismaharini, in her statement received here on Tuesday, expressed her intent to make the AHLF an opportunity to introduce the history and attractions in Makassar City and its surroundings by holding a gala dinner at Fort Rotterdam.

The AHLF, scheduled in Makassar on October 10-12, will be attended by 200 representatives of ASEAN sector bodies, ASEAN-affiliated organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, ASEAN dialogue partners, and academics.

Hence, the Social Affairs Ministry has coordinated with the tourist attraction management to provide supporting facilities for disabled people.

Minister Rismaharini alone has visited Makassar twice to ensure the availability of disability-friendly access.

"We are in the process of providing access for persons with disabilities in some locations. This is to show that Makassar is a civilized society that respects the rights of persons with disabilities," she remarked.

In addition, Rismaharini noted that the AHLF implementation aims to demonstrate the spirit of partiality of ASEAN countries to persons with disabilities.

"(This is to ensure) no one, including disabled people, is left behind," she remarked.

The AHLF implementation in Makassar is in line with the midterm review of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan (AEM) 2025 on real commitment and efforts in mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities that have been running so far.

The panel will discuss mainstreaming the global perspective on persons with disabilities, partnerships for the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities and the way forward, disability-inclusive development beyond 2025, and capacity building of persons with disabilities in employment and entrepreneurship.