1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 convened global leaders, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), international development stakeholders, private sector actors, and civil society organizations in Amman, Jordan, to advance the global agenda for disability inclusion. TAF Africa, through strategic engagements and thought leadership, significantly contributed to the summit’s core themes of inclusive employment, political participation, social protection, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities (PWDs). This report provides a detailed overview of key highlights, TAF Africa’s strategic visibility, contributions of the CEO/Founder Amb. Jake Epelle and implications for our organizational programming moving forward.
2. OPENING HIGHLIGHTS AND SUMMIT CONTEXT
Day 1 of the GDS 2025 set the tone for an urgent and sustained global commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities, reaffirming that disability inclusion is non-negotiable.
Key highlights include:
- Presentation of Regional Summits: Findings from regional consultations conducted over two years informed the global commitments presented at GDS2025.
Key Global Voices:
- His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan highlighted Jordan’s progress in disability inclusion since becoming a co-host and called for stronger global action to protect persons with disabilities, especially in conflict zones.
- H.E. Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to disability inclusion, announcing support for inclusive education and the 15% for 15% target.
- Dr. Nawaf Kabbara, President of the International Disability Alliance, emphasized the role of OPDs, urging that they be recognized as decision-makers and that inclusion must be reflected in every plan and budget.
- Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, emphasized the urgency of reinvigorating efforts toward the lagging disability targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Opening II saw additional commitments:
- Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, announced a new initiative that brings together health and disability organizations to enhance collaboration and impact.
- Charlotte Young, IDA Youth Ambassador, presented the Youth Call to Action, ensuring that young voices are central to the disability rights movement.
- Sanja Tarczay, President of the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), shared key takeaways from the Civil Society Forum (CSF) and presented the Civil Society Declaration.
- H.E. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Minister of International Development, Norway, reinforced Norway’s legacy as a GDS co-host and announced increased funding for development aid.
- Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), announced a new initiative focused on accessible cities and declared UN-Habitat’s endorsement of the Amman-Berlin Declaration.
- Marie Luise Abomo, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, called on African states to ratify the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
3. TAF AFRICA’S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS
3.1 High-Level Panel Participation: Inclusive Labour Markets and Decent Work
Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, served as a panellist in the session titled “Shaping Inclusive Labour Markets and Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities.”
• The session explored policy implementation challenges under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) within employment systems.
Key panellists included:
- Erol Kiresepi, Honorary President at International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
- Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation
- Caroline Casey, Founder and Director, The Valuable 500
TAF Africa’s Contribution:
- Amb. Epelle acknowledged Nigeria’s efforts in building capacity for PWDs through policy and skill development programs.
- He advocated for deeper collaboration between government and OPDs to scale inclusive job access.
- Emphasis was placed on the enabling role of legal frameworks and innovative partnerships to remove systemic employment barriers.
- Persons with disabilities were motivated to stand up for themselves and unite their voices towards self-empowerment and growth.
3.2 Fireside Chat Host: TAF Africa Disability Inclusion Forum
TAF Africa independently hosted a side event titled “TAF Africa Disability Inclusion Forum,” providing a platform to showcase Nigeria’s efforts in mainstreaming disability in political and economic spaces.
Speakers:
- Hon. Dr. Yusuf T. Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
- Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder, TAF Africa
- Alhaji Zayyanu Umar-Aliero, Kebbi State Commissioner for Special Duties
Key Discussion Points:
- Dr. Sununu elaborated on the positive impact of social intervention programs like the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) on poverty reduction within the disability community.
- Amb. Epelle highlighted TAF Africa’s innovative programs:
- Able to Vote – Promoting PWDs electoral participation through voting
- Electability – Enhancing visibility and engagement through political campaigns and vying for elective positions.
- Able to Serve – Advocating inclusive governance through political appointments.
The chat emphasized collective responsibility across sectors to drive systemic change.
4. DAY 2: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND GLOBAL REPORT LAUNCH
4.1 Launch of the Global Disability Inclusion Report
The Global Disability Inclusion Report: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in a Changing and Diverse World, developed for the Global Disability Summit 2025, examines these challenges and outlines concrete pathways for change.
The report is the result of a collaborative effort of several UN agencies, the International Disability Alliance, the International Disability and Development Consortium, and their members and academia. It has been funded mostly by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with co-funding from the London Stock Exchange Group and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
The report highlights:
- The impact of global trends like climate change, technology, and urbanization
- Legal, policy, and financing measures to drive inclusion.
- Strategies for inclusive education and humanitarian action, healthcare, employment, and social protection
The report offers a valuable roadmap for our policy engagement and programming in 2025 and beyond.
4.2 Side Event Panel: Companies as Allies for Inclusive Employment
Amb. Jake Epelle again represented TAF Africa as a panellist at this high-impact session that brought together private sector leaders and disability advocates.
Panelists included:
- Andy Garrett, Director – GSK Global Workplace Adjustments Service
- Jürgen Menze, Disability Inclusion Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Nadine Schönwald, Inclusion officer, Board UnternehmensForum,
- Susan Scott-Parker, Business Disability International (Moderator)
TAF Africa’s Key Contribution:
Amb. Epelle emphasized the importance of education, digital skills, and professional readiness among persons with disabilities to boost their employability.
He presented the Framework for the National Access to Work Scheme, co-developed by TAF Africa and NCPWD with funding from Sightsavers, which supports private employers to employ qualified persons with disabilities by providing technical and material support.
5. STRATEGIC VISIBILITY AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT
TAF Africa’s strategic positioning at GDS 2025 achieved the following:
- Enhanced Global Visibility: TAF Africa’s voice resonated on critical issues of inclusive governance and employment through speaking engagements and hosting a side event.
- Strengthened Partnerships: Our presence created pathways for deeper collaboration with global development agencies, OPDs, and private sector actors like the Christoffel Blinden Mission, Sightsavers International, International Disability and Development Consortium, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, etc.
- Inspiration for Action: TAF Africa’s programs, Able to Vote, Electability, Able to serve and the Access to Work Scheme, were used as models of good practice, inspiring replication and adaptation.
