According to the Public Relations and International Affairs Department of the State Welfare Organization (SWO), a joint meeting was held between Seyed Javad Hosseini, Head of the SWO, and members of associations representing persons with visual, hearing, and physical disabilities.
Speaking at the meeting, Hosseini referred to the participation of the Iranian delegation in the International Conference on Population and Ageing and announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran had put forward a proposal for the establishment of a Global Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
He stated that approximately 50 programmes and expert panels were held during the conference, addressing topics such as artificial intelligence, social welfare and ageing policies, the silver economy, community-based ageing, and long-term care. Various countries presented their experiences and policy models in these areas.
Hosseini added that, in addition to attending the opening ceremony, the Iranian delegation participated in a high-level panel attended by four ministers, representatives from approximately 12 countries, and United Nations representatives. The delegation also took part in specialized panels on artificial intelligence and community participation. He noted that the conclusions and recommendations emerging from these expert discussions would subsequently be presented.
Emphasizing the need for global attention to the rights of older persons, the Head of the SWO said: "One of the proposals put forward by the Islamic Republic of Iran at this summit was the establishment of a Global Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. While an international convention already exists to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, no comparable international instrument has yet been established in the field of ageing."
He continued that Iran's proposal had been formally presented and officially recorded at the summit, expressing hope that the necessary steps would be taken to pursue and realize this initiative.
Referring to the experiences of different countries in ageing-related policymaking, Hosseini noted that countries have adopted different approaches to addressing population ageing, with some implementing extensive programmes in this field. For example, China has undertaken legislative measures to support persons with disabilities over the past two decades and has revised its relevant laws several times.
He stressed that the key issue is not simply selecting a particular model or approach, but rather the extent to which policymakers understand the challenges of ageing and their ability to translate this understanding into effective and practical programmes.
Direct Dialogue with Senior Officials on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Criticizing the tendency to limit the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to speeches by officials, the Head of the SWO proposed holding a dedicated meeting between senior national officials and representatives of organizations and networks of persons with disabilities. Such a meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity for the community to present its concerns and demands directly at the highest level of government.
Hosseini added that, during the activities planned for the Week of Persons with Disabilities, individuals with disabilities and their representative organizations should have the opportunity to express their concerns, challenges, and demands directly.
He explained that the specific proposal was to organize a meeting between senior government officials and representatives of disability organizations and networks on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This meeting could take place within the framework of a special session of the Coordination and Monitoring Committee for the Implementation of the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with the participation of the President and relevant officials.
He emphasized that such a gathering would not only provide an opportunity to hear the demands of persons with disabilities directly, but would also demonstrate respect for their dignity and social standing. This community faces numerous specialized challenges, and discussing and following up on these issues in a direct meeting with the President could help address some of its existing difficulties.
Referring to the proposal to organize specialized meetings throughout the Week of Persons with Disabilities, Hosseini said that another recommendation was to arrange meetings between representatives of disability organizations and officials of relevant executive bodies on different days of the week. These could include meetings with municipal authorities, city council representatives, ministers, and senior officials whose responsibilities are closely related to disability issues.
He added that oversight institutions, including the Supreme Audit Court, the General Inspection Organization, and the Parliament's Article 90 Commission, should also participate in these meetings to ensure that the implementation of relevant legislation and the removal of existing obstacles remain on the agenda. Separate meetings could also be organized with specialized parliamentary committees, including the Social Affairs Committee and the Article 90 Commission.
Strengthening Oversight of Disability Rights Legislation
Emphasizing the need to strengthen oversight of the implementation of relevant laws, Hosseini stated that despite the efforts made so far, the country's full supervisory capacities had not yet been utilized to monitor the implementation of the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He noted that greater use should be made of the capacities of the General Inspection Organization, the Supreme Audit Court, the Parliament's Article 90 Commission, and the Judiciary.
Hosseini further stated that, in discussions with judicial authorities, their readiness to follow up on cases in which the implementation of the law encounters obstacles had also been emphasized. Therefore, supervisory and judicial capacities should be mobilized more effectively to address failures to fulfil legal obligations and facilitate the proper enforcement of legislation.
He also stressed the importance of activating specialized and expert working groups before convening meetings of the Coordination Council. According to him, meetings should be supported by adequate technical preparation and produce practical outcomes.
"Problems and challenges should not be brought to the meeting table without prior examination. Issues must first be reviewed by specialized working groups, solutions should be developed, and consensus should be reached. The main meeting should then focus exclusively on decision-making and the approval of well-prepared proposals," he explained.
The Head of the SWO proposed that the Secretariat of the Coordination and Monitoring Committee for the Implementation of the Law, in cooperation with organizations representing persons with disabilities, review the progress of approved resolutions and outstanding challenges every three months and submit implementation reports and practical recommendations to the relevant authorities for follow-up.
In conclusion, Hosseini emphasized that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities should be observed in a manner that promotes respect for these individuals and safeguards their dignity. However, addressing their challenges and ensuring the effective implementation of relevant laws require continuous follow-up throughout the year.
He stressed the importance of distinguishing between commemorative events and specialized, issue-oriented meetings aimed at resolving the challenges faced by the SWO's target population.
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