© CBM/Happuc

Global Disability Summit 2025: Advocating for inclusion and meaningful change

The summit promotes meaningful progress toward inclusion and provides a platform to push governments and organisations toward measurable action.

Berlin will host the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 from April 2-3. As a major international event on disability-inclusive development, the summit provides a platform to advance disability rights and inclusion globally. Hosted by the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the Government of Germany, and the Government of Jordan, the GDS 2025 will bring together governments, disability activists, OPDs (Organizations of Persons with Disabilities), and development agencies to drive concrete commitments toward a more inclusive future.

A time to act

Global frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasise inclusion, but without accountability, progress remains slow. Persons with disabilities—particularly in low-income settings—continue to face barriers to education, healthcare, employment, and political participation. The GDS is a platform to push governments and organisations toward measurable action.

For CBM, the GDS 2025 is an opportunity to amplify its impact, advocate for meaningful commitments, and ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities remain central to global development efforts. In partnership with OPDs, CBM will engage in three key side events focused on disability-inclusive humanitarian action, parliamentary engagement, and political participation.

Key topics and engagements

CBM representatives and partners will contribute to discussions on critical issues, including:

  • Inclusive Humanitarian Action – CBM will join a side event hosted by the Disability Reference Group (DRG) to discuss the role of financing in making humanitarian responses truly inclusive.
  • Parliamentary Engagement for Disability-Inclusive Development – In collaboration with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), CBM will co-host a session exploring how policymakers can translate global commitments into real change.
  • Political Participation as a Tool for Empowerment – CBM will take part in a session organized by Namibian Federation of the Visually Impaired, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and other partners, examining how inclusive political systems can drive meaningful change for persons with disabilities.

 

The Silent Tears exhibition

Silent Tears – Strong Women!

A compelling addition to GDS 2025 is the Silent Tears exhibition, which highlights the experiences of women with disabilities who have survived violence. Through photography and storytelling, the exhibition calls for stronger action to protect and empower women with disabilities.

The GDS 2025 is a moment to move beyond dialogue and drive action for a more inclusive world.