Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) is thrilled that South Africa will host the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
This historic event positions our country at the forefront of global decision-making, giving us the opportunity to demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to inclusive, forward-thinking development on a global scale.
The Summit’s timing is significant since it coincides with the recent implementation of the Africa Disability Protocol, Africa’s first disability rights framework that protects and advances the rights of persons with disabilities across the continent.
According to Secretary General Thabapelo Karel Lehloo, the 2025 G20 Summit offers a unique chance for South Africa to set new global standards in disability inclusion while also ensuring that people with disabilities participate actively in all aspects of Summit planning, execution, and discourse.
Lehloo stated that the DPSA urges the Presidency, Inter-Ministerial Committee, G20 Secretariat, and Social Summit Secretariat to prioritize universal access and disability inclusion as South Africa prepares to host international leaders.
“This dedication is required for a Summit that is really inclusive, not just accessible.
As the leading cross-disability organization in South Africa, we are dedicated to furthering the inclusion and rights of all persons with disabilities.
The DPSA seeks to ensure that individuals with disabilities have full involvement and equal opportunity in all aspects of South African society,” he stated.
Lehloo sought clarification whether accessibility for people with disabilities was a consideration in selecting Johannesburg as the host city.
“Is there a firm commitment to making all G20 messages available in accessible formats to facilitate full participation.
Finally, will people with disabilities’ perspectives inform the Summit’s debate, or will we, as is so frequently the case, be regarded as an afterthought? he said, underlining that this is their chance to design solutions rather than retroactively address prejudice.
The recent G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Inclusion and Disability, as well as the Solfagnano Charter, highlight key concepts that the G20 should adopt, such as universal accessibility, inclusive employment, and independent living.
Similarly, the Africa Disability Protocol must serve as the cornerstone of Africa’s 2025 agenda, encouraging meaningful engagement and impact across all Summit subjects.
National Chairperson Patrick Mahlakoane stated that the DPSA, in partnership with the Africa Disability Forum (ADF), continues to campaign for a Summit where people with disabilities’ voices and perspectives are actively used to establish policies that address global challenges.
“To that end, we suggest that a disability reference group engage fully in the Social Summit.
Such representation is required for policies that address the needs and rights of all members of society,” he said.
In keeping with this commitment, Mahlakoane is currently in Brazil from November 13 to 15, 2024, for the 2024 Social Summit to promote South Africa’s viewpoint on disability inclusion and push for measures that will allow us to host the G20 Disability Summit in 2025.
“DPSA promotes collaboration between the government and civil society, making disability inclusion a critical component of the 2025 G20 Summit. People with disabilities must take an active role in creating a truly accessible and inclusive South Africa,” according to Mahlakoane.