Prime Minister Nawaf Salam launched Lebanon’s National Strategy for the Rights and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities 2026–2030 at the Grand Serail, stressing that ensuring equal rights, accessibility and inclusion was a fundamental responsibility of the state.
The strategy was approved by the Cabinet on February 26.
Addressing the ceremony, Salam paid tribute to persons with disabilities and their organizations for their longstanding advocacy, describing the strategy as a national commitment rather than a sector-specific initiative.
He said disability rights were a measure of the state’s ability to guarantee equal opportunities for all citizens, describing the strategy as a new social contract requiring public institutions to remove barriers to inclusion.
Salam acknowledged that significant provisions of Law No. 220 of 2000 remained unimplemented, calling for legislative and institutional reforms aligned with Lebanon’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He emphasized the need to bridge the gap between rights recognized in law and those exercised in practice.
Referring to Lebanon’s successive crises, Salam said persons with disabilities had been particularly affected by inadequate access to healthcare, education, transportation and emergency services.
"Inclusion is part of recovery itself," he stressed, underscoring that responsibility for implementing the strategy extended to every ministry and public institution.
Salam also called for stronger legislative action and continued participation by disability organizations in implementation, monitoring and accountability.
He concluded that the strategy’s success would ultimately be measured by whether Lebanon’s institutions, legislation, budgets and public services were designed from the outset to serve all citizens equally.
The strategy was approved by the Cabinet on February 26.
Addressing the ceremony, Salam paid tribute to persons with disabilities and their organizations for their longstanding advocacy, describing the strategy as a national commitment rather than a sector-specific initiative.
He said disability rights were a measure of the state’s ability to guarantee equal opportunities for all citizens, describing the strategy as a new social contract requiring public institutions to remove barriers to inclusion.
Salam acknowledged that significant provisions of Law No. 220 of 2000 remained unimplemented, calling for legislative and institutional reforms aligned with Lebanon’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He emphasized the need to bridge the gap between rights recognized in law and those exercised in practice.
Referring to Lebanon’s successive crises, Salam said persons with disabilities had been particularly affected by inadequate access to healthcare, education, transportation and emergency services.
"Inclusion is part of recovery itself," he stressed, underscoring that responsibility for implementing the strategy extended to every ministry and public institution.
Salam also called for stronger legislative action and continued participation by disability organizations in implementation, monitoring and accountability.
He concluded that the strategy’s success would ultimately be measured by whether Lebanon’s institutions, legislation, budgets and public services were designed from the outset to serve all citizens equally.
