Abu Dhabi Advances Disability Inclusion Through UN Disability Fund Partnership And Inclusive Cities Framework

The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development has used a meeting with the United Nations Global Disability Fund to underline how the Emirate is building more inclusive cities and communities, improving quality of life and daily participation for People of Determination across sectors through policies, services and accessible environments.

During the discussions, both sides explored how joint work could strengthen the Disability-Friendly Cities and Communities Framework and the Resilient and Inclusive Cities Initiative, and expand the Inclusive Cities Index so that cities worldwide support greater independence, equal opportunities and better living standards for all persons with disabilities.

The Department explained that its current programmes aim to create an integrated ecosystem for People of Determination, combining inclusive legislation, improved government and private services, and urban planning standards that support accessible public spaces, transport, housing and community facilities, enabling long-term, active participation in social, cultural and economic life.

Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department, stated that the partnership with the United Nations Global Disability Fund fits Abu Dhabi’s wider efforts to position itself as an inclusive city, with all entities working under the Abu Dhabi People of Determination strategy to adopt sustainable inclusion practices.

The meeting formed part of the Department’s ongoing work to align Abu Dhabi’s inclusion agenda with international standards, learn from global best practice and improve institutional coordination so that the Emirate can strengthen its regional and international role in empowering and integrating People of Determination.

Al Dhaheri noted that Abu Dhabi is prepared to share its experience in integrating People of Determination, and present the Inclusive Cities and Communities Framework as a practical reference that other global cities can adapt when designing their own disability inclusion models.

Inclusive cities and People of Determination in Abu Dhabi leadership dialogue

The session brought together Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri and Dr Layla Abdulaziz Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Family and Child Welfare Sector at the Department, with project team members, who met Dr. Ola Abu Al Ghaib, Director of the United Nations Global Disability Fund, to review progress and future collaboration.

Dr. Layla Abdulaziz Al Hyas explained that working directly with the United Nations Global Disability Fund offers a structured way to exchange technical knowledge, assess international evidence, and increase the authority of the Disability-Friendly Cities and Communities Framework at local and global levels, reinforcing its use as a reference for inclusive planning.

Inclusive cities and People of Determination in Abu Dhabi implementation impact

Dr. Ola Abu Al Ghaib described the partnership with Abu Dhabi as an example of international cooperation on inclusion, highlighting that the Department has adopted a holistic method when designing policies and programmes, so that measures supporting People of Determination extend across social, economic and urban systems rather than remaining in isolated projects.

Dr. Abu Al Ghaib added that the Inclusive City initiative is a key move toward fairer urban systems that guarantee both access and participation, and stressed that the Disability-Friendly Cities and Communities Framework outlines clear steps for universal accessibility in physical and digital environments, while the United Nations Global Disability Fund looks forward to supporting wider implementation and impact.

She further noted that by focusing on service access in all sectors and protecting dignity and equal opportunity, Abu Dhabi’s cooperation with the United Nations Global Disability Fund can help refine tools such as the Inclusive Cities Index, giving policymakers and planners in the Emirate and internationally stronger evidence when designing future inclusive city strategies.

With inputs from WAM