World Disability Union (WDU)
Annual Report 2025
1. Executive Summary
The year 2025 witnessed significant activity by the World Disability Union (WDU) at both the international and regional levels, with a clear focus on promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, developing accessible environments, expanding recognition of disability-friendly institutions and facilities, and strengthening the Union’s presence at international forums concerned with disability and social development.
The Union’s activities during the year focused on five main areas:
The activities undertaken in 2025 demonstrate an increasing transition in the Union’s work from simply recognizing eligible facilities toward building a broader system of social inclusion and accessibility encompassing cities, services, education, rehabilitation, and sustainable development.
2. about the World Disability Union
The World Disability Union (WDU) is an international organization established in 2011 that works to support the rights of persons with disabilities and promote their full participation in society.
According to the Union’s official website, WDU has more than 400 affiliated entities in 91 countries and bases its approach on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), particularly the principles related to removing barriers, ensuring accessibility, and promoting equal participation.
Its international certification program for accessible environments and facilities also distinguishes the Union. The assessment process covers a number of sectors, including airports, hotels, parks, museums, shopping centers, and other public and private facilities.
The program aims to encourage institutions and governments to develop environments that are more inclusive and suitable for persons with disabilities.
3. Vision and Mission
Vision
To contribute to building an inclusive world without barriers for persons with disabilities, where they enjoy their full rights and opportunities in education, employment, mobility, services, and community participation.
Mission
To promote the rights of persons with disabilities, coordinate international efforts in accessibility and inclusion, and encourage governments and institutions to implement standards that ensure safe, accessible, and inclusive environments.
Institutional Values
The Union’s work is based on a number of core values, including:
4. Major Achievements in 2025
4.1 Strengthening Recognition of Disability-Friendly Institutions and Facilities
In February 2025, the Union organized its 14th annual ceremony to recognize institutions that had made significant efforts to make their facilities more suitable and accessible for persons with disabilities.
The ceremony recognized more than 22 institutions in the United Arab Emirates, in addition to a shopping center in Pakistan, in recognition of their efforts to provide more inclusive environments.
During the ceremony, the Union also announced the launch of the “World Disability Union Medal”, designed to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to defending the rights of persons with disabilities and building inclusive societies.
This represents an expansion of the Union’s recognition mechanisms. Recognition is no longer limited to institutions and facilities but also extends to individuals who have made significant contributions to the disability sector.
5. Accessibility and Inclusive Environment Achievements
5.1 Parks and Public Facilities in Abu Dhabi
In March 2025, nine parks in Abu Dhabi were announced as recipients of World Disability Union awards in recognition of their implementation of environmental standards suitable for persons with disabilities.
The parks included:
The facilities were classified according to Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels.
The assessment focused on elements including safe facilities, ease of access, designated parking spaces, and improvements to spaces and services in accordance with the needs of persons with disabilities.
This reflects the Union’s role in transforming accessibility from a general principle into measurable and certifiable standards.
5.2 Expansion of the Certification Program in 2025
The Union’s certification database shows a significant number of facilities that received certifications in 2025, including parks in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai.
Examples include:
The Union’s database indicates that, in several cases, these certifications extend from 2025 to 2028, reflecting multi-year certification rather than temporary recognition.
6. International Presence
6.1 Participation in the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – COSP18
One of the major highlights of 2025 was the participation of the World Disability Union in the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The Union was represented at the conference by Secretary-General Mr. Haider Talib Araba and Board Member Mr. Rizwan Ahmed Lodhi.
During the conference, representatives of the Union held meetings with officials and representatives from the United Nations and international and regional organizations. Discussions covered international cooperation, disability policies, inclusive education, accessibility, and community empowerment.
The Union’s participation in COSP18 reinforced its commitment to strengthening its international presence as an organization advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities.
6.2 Meeting with UNICEF
On the sidelines of COSP18, the Secretary-General of the Union met with Mr. Gopal Mitra, Global Lead on Disability Rights at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The discussions focused on the inclusion of children with disabilities in mainstream education systems, improving accessibility in schools and educational infrastructure, and developing standards and certifications for schools that meet inclusive education requirements.
The Union also proposed developing a formal cooperation framework with UNICEF to promote the rights of children with disabilities and support their inclusion in educational institutions.
The proposal was welcomed in principle, with discussions continuing toward developing a structured and sustainable partnership.
7. Participation in Specialized International Conferences
7.1 10th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference – Bangkok
The Union participated in the 10th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference (WDRC 2025) in Bangkok on August 28–29, 2025.
The conference focused on empowering persons with disabilities through innovative mental health initiatives and comprehensive rehabilitation.
The Union was represented by Board Member Mr. Rizwan Ahmed, who presented the Union’s vision regarding:
Experts, researchers, and policymakers from more than 50 countries participated in the conference, providing the Union with an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with academic institutions, governments, and civil society organizations.
8. Participation in AccessAbilities Expo 2025
The Union participated in the 7th AccessAbilities Expo 2025, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The Union was represented by a delegation headed by Dr. Tariq Sultan Bin Khadim, First Vice President of the Union, and Mr. Heidar Talleb Arabeh - General Secretary,
The exhibition provided the Union with an opportunity to connect with local and international organizations working in the disability sector, exchange expertise, and showcase initiatives related to inclusion, empowerment, and accessibility.
The participation highlights the importance of AccessAbilities Expo as a regional platform bringing together government and private-sector organizations, civil society, and providers of disability-related solutions and technologies.
9. Participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development – Doha
The Union participated in the Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha, Qatar, in November 2025.
The Union was represented by Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Kham, Vice President, along with Board Members Rizwan Ahmed and Asadullah.
The participation included a number of bilateral meetings and consultations with representatives of regional and international organizations. Discussions emphasized the importance of integrating persons with disabilities into social and economic development plans.
This participation demonstrates the Union’s approach of linking disability issues with the broader social development agenda rather than treating disability as a separate sector from sustainable development.
10. Assessment of Al Baha City in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
In December 2025, the Union began a series of visits and field assessments in Al Baha City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to evaluate its readiness to obtain a disability-friendly city classification.
The activities included:
The purpose of the visit was to apply the Union’s standards at the city level rather than to an individual facility, representing an important development in the scope of the Union’s assessment program.
The WDU delegation also recognized Ikram National Resort as a model combining social care, accessibility, and sustainable tourism.
11. 2025 Events and Assessment Program
The Union’s 2025 events calendar reflects the expansion of its field assessment activities.
Major activities included:
These activities indicate the transformation of the Union’s assessment program into a continuous evaluation and monitoring initiative covering diverse infrastructure and public service sectors.
12. Institutional Message on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
In December 2025, the Union issued a message marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, expressing appreciation to countries that had worked to improve accessibility and develop infrastructure supporting persons with disabilities.
The Union also called for continued development of legislation and policies that protect the rights of persons with disabilities and enable their full participation in society.
The message focused on:
The message reflects the broader framework guiding the Union’s work during the year: moving from a model based primarily on care toward a rights-based approach focused on empowerment and participation.
13. Strategic Analysis of the Union’s Performance in 2025
Strengths
13.1 International Presence
The Union’s participation in the United Nations and international conferences contributed to strengthening its international presence and creating opportunities to engage with policymakers and international organizations.
13.2 Clear Certification Program
The accessibility certification program is one of the Union’s most important practical tools because it translates the principles of inclusion into standards that can be assessed and implemented.
13.3 Sectoral Diversity
The Union’s assessments were not limited to one sector. They covered parks, healthcare facilities, public services, tourism facilities, and other areas.
13.4 Combining Advocacy with Implementation
The Union combines international advocacy for disability rights with practical field assessments at the city and facility levels.
13.5 Geographic Expansion
The activities of 2025 demonstrate continued work within the United Arab Emirates, while expanding cooperation and assessment activities to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in addition to maintaining an international presence.