Jordan's King Abdullah II received applause at a disability summit in Germany on Wednesday for highlighting the situation in Gaza as a "painful example" of how conflict hinders the advancement of equal rights for people with disabilities.
Addressing the summit in Berlin, which Jordan co-hosted with Germany and which focused on supporting disabled people worldwide, King Abdullah emphasized the global responsibility to those affected, especially those in conflict zones.
He stated that the risks faced by disabled individuals in war zones underscore the urgent need for peace, and "peace with justice." He has consistently used visits to Europe to advocate for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His statement that "The situation in Gaza is a painful example" was met with applause from the summit's delegates.
"Today, Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world, along with massive numbers of injured adults," King Abdullah said. "Medical facilities have been destroyed and rethinking old ways is greatly needed. We ask you, the champions of disability rights, to join us in helping restore hope to Gazans and others in jeopardy worldwide."
The Berlin summit aims to strengthen efforts to aid people with disabilities in less affluent nations, culminating in an Amman-Berlin Declaration that pledges to prioritize this cause in aid programs. A German minister previously praised Jordan's efforts in this field.
Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, and Nawaf Kabbara, chairman of the International Disability Alliance, both cautioned against a growing opposition to inclusion initiatives. Kabbara warned of shrinking budgets and increasing anti-inclusion rhetoric, emphasizing that inclusion is a matter of life and death for millions with disabilities.
Scholz reaffirmed the importance of diversity, participation, and inclusion, vowing to resist attacks against these principles. He commended Jordan's role as a leader in the region for its inclusion of disabled people.
King Abdullah noted that over 80 Jordanian organizations have made pledges for the summit. He acknowledged that Jordan still has "much more work to do" to ensure that disabled people in the country can travel easily, find meaningful employment, and experience acceptance and respect.