Creating enabling environments for children with disabilities discussed

Muscat: The 2nd Oman Childhood Conference, organised by the Children First Association under the patronage of Her Highness Dr. Mona Fahd Al-Said, brought together national and international experts to advance dialogue and collaboration around the rights and well-being of every child. 

Among the key speakers was Gopal Mitra, UNICEF’s Global Lead on Disability and Development, who highlighted the global situation of children with disabilities, key strategies to advance disability inclusion and lessons learned from UNICEF’s global and regional experience in creating enabling environments for children with disabilities. 

During Mitra’s visit to the Sultanate from 12-16 October, he met with Dr. Laila bin Ahmed Al-Najjar, Minister of Social Development, and His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, as well as with representatives from civil society, the private sector, and other government entities.

Discussions centered on strengthening inclusive systems and services for children with disabilities, aligned with Oman’s Vision 2040 priorities. 

Reflecting on Oman’s achievements, UNICEF Representative to the Sultanate of Oman, Sumaira Chowdhury, said: “The Oman Childhood Conference is a powerful platform for knowledge exchange and partnership. Oman continues to make important strides in ensuring that children and persons with disabilities are at the heart of Vision 2040 implementation. Through our collaboration with the Government of Oman and civil society partners, we are working together to advance inclusion across education, social protection, and early childhood development.”

Echoing this, Gopal Mitra stated: “I am deeply impressed by Oman’s dedication to creating inclusive systems for children with disabilities. The commitment of government, civil society, and the wider community demonstrates what can be achieved when collaboration and innovation come together, and it is inspiring to recognize the positive impact these efforts have for children with disabilities and their families.”

Recent achievements highlight the Sultanate’s steady progress, including the launch of the Persons with Disabilities Lab, the ongoing work to develop a Unified National Disability Registry, the adoption of persons with disabilities cash benefits as entitled in the Social Protection Law (2023), and inclusive initiatives across education, health, rehabilitation, and employment. These initiatives demonstrate the Sultanate of Oman’s ongoing commitment to a rights-based, inclusive approach to disability. 

UNICEF remains committed to working with the Government of Oman and partners to strengthen policy frameworks, expand access to quality services, and ensure that children with disabilities are not left behind. These efforts fully aligned with Vision 2040 and UNICEF Oman’s new Country Programme Document (2026-2030), which emphasises inclusion, social protection, and key windows of opportunity across early childhood and adolescence. 

The public is invited to visit UNICEF’s booth at the Oman Childhood Conference on the 15th and 16th October 2025 to learn more about disability-related initiatives in the Sultanate of Oman and globally.   

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. In more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org