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AHLF ends with Makassar Recommendations for future actions
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he ASEAN High Level Forum (AHLF) on Disability-Inclusive Development and Partnership beyond 2025, hosted by Indonesia in Makassar, South Sulawesi, in hybrid format on Oct. 10-12, has wrapped up, producing the Makassar Recommendations for ensuring and accelerating future endeavors and actions.
The recommendations are also directed toward concrete actions to implement the inclusive 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda and partnership from the regional perspective.
“We encourage ASEAN countries to continue to strengthen collaboration beyond 2025. We have agreed to take the necessary steps to implement the recommendations made in the AHLF event,” said Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini in her concluding remarks.
The forum reaffirmed the importance of the region’s disability-inclusive development and partnership for ASEAN as an epicentrum of inclusive and sustainable growth.
The forum produced 10 recommendations, which basically highlight the implementation of three ASEAN pillars-based Masterplan (AEM) 2025: 1) Socio-economic culture and politics-security; 2) Review of AEM national involvement of people with disabilities; 3) Inclusive development as ASEAN 2045 vision; 4)Provide friendly environment as concrete steps taken by ASEAN partners. ASEAN dialogue partners are strongly encouraged to mainstream empowerment and the rights of people with disabilities in cooperation with ASEAN; 5) Set a policy of social welfare for people with disabilities; 6) Ensure equal rights of people with disabilities to have access to any activities and public facilities; 7) Strengthen data and monitor progress of actions; 8) Ensure people with disabilities have equal access to supporting technologies; 9) Strengthen public understanding and promote mutual respect; 10)Business sector involvement in the prosperity aspect. Businesses are encouraged to promote and implement disability-inclusive business models and value chains, and support better access for persons with disabilities to employment, including as entrepreneurs.
The event saw the delegations attend the forum in the historic city of Makassar, they also took the opportunity to join a field visit to Sentra Wirajaya Makassar, one of the integrated service centers, which serves as a technical implementer that carries out rehabilitation programs through multi-service methods, in which persons with disabilities are service beneficiaries.
The service program is part of the concrete evidence that persons with disabilities have received support regarding the fulfillment of their rights in an inclusive manner.
In the similar location, delegations had an opportunity to view an exhibition that showcased the best programs and practices and incredible work by persons with disabilities.
“The forum will allow us to strengthen collaboration on the fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities and implement the ASEAN-US forum,” the minister said.
“We can pay attention to innovations and ideas associated with topics, projects, or initiatives regarding the fulfillment of the rights of and inclusivity of persons with disabilities through collaboration and wide partnerships,” she said.
“The ideas are expected to serve as material for our endeavors to expand the coverage of the topics discussed at the ASEAN High Level Forum,” she said.
“We express our sincere appreciation to all delegations and other relevant stakeholders for the opportunity to strengthen our resolve to proactively contribute to the betterment of the region, especially the advancement of ASEAN disability-inclusive development and partnership,” she concluded.
