Egypt's National Council for Persons with Disabilities announced a comprehensive national strategy for 2026-2030 to fully integrate and empower 11 million people with disabilities. Prepared in collaboration with the Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Centre, it follows a year of consultations with government bodies and the disabled community. The plan aims to build an inclusive society ensuring equal opportunities in line with international standards.
In a move underscoring the state's commitment to disability rights, Egypt's National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) announced on Monday the launch of a national strategy for 2026-2030. The announcement came after a year of consultations with government ministries, institutions, and representatives from the disabled community, with final discussions concluding that day in consensus on key proposals and pillars to achieve justice and equality for over 11 million Egyptian citizens with disabilities.
Dr. Eman Karim, the NCPD's general supervisor, stated that the strategy's main goal is to foster an inclusive society guaranteeing equal opportunities and full empowerment. She explained that it emphasizes integrated national policies aligned with the Egyptian constitution and international standards, while improving service quality and refining legislation to promote social justice and sustainable development. "This national strategy reflects the political leadership’s commitment to including all citizens in the ‘New Republic’ and empowering people with disabilities across all fields," Karim said.
The preparation involved input from civil society, international experts, the private sector, and disability organizations. Dr. Osama el-Gohary, assistant to the prime minister and head of the Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC), noted that the strategy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Egypt Vision 2030, and Law No. 10 of 2018 on the rights of persons with disabilities. He added that technical support from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) would be presented to the prime minister, emphasizing that success hinges on effective partnerships and coordination.
Dr. Alaa Sebei, ESCWA's regional advisor on disability affairs, commended the Egyptian government's participatory approach, viewing the strategy as a clear political commitment to disability rights. ESCWA provided a technical review and conducted field visits to provinces to ensure it addresses community needs. Dr. Heba Abdel Monem, head of the IDSC's central administration for monitoring national strategies, described these meetings as the largest ahead of the official launch. The strategy was formed under Prime Minister Decree No. 4265 of 2024, based on a "prevention for a better life" mechanism supported by extensive field visits to assess the current situation and hear directly from those affected.