The 18th World Congress of Inclusion International, themed “We Are Inclusion”, opened at Expo Centre Sharjah on Monday, marking the first time the global gathering is being hosted in the West Asia and North Africa region. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, the three-day congress runs from September 15–17.
Organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in collaboration with Inclusion International and the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, the event has drawn more than 500 participants from 74 countries, including 152 expert speakers, 134 self-advocates, and representatives from 125 organizations. Across 59 panel discussions, delegates are addressing issues of inclusive healthcare, education, economic participation, legal rights, and crisis response, all in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 2025 Global Disability Inclusion Report, launched in parallel, highlights that achieving full inclusion could prevent national economies from losing up to 7% of GDP, underscoring the urgency of the agenda.
The opening day featured powerful contributions from self-advocates, parents, and educators, sharing experiences across the spectrum of inclusive education. Among the highlights was expert-led discussions on mental health rights and family-driven awareness initiatives. Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of SCHS, and Jamie Cooke, Executive Director of Inclusion International, stressed the need to turn inclusion from aspiration into actionable rights-based policies.
Cultural programming has been woven into the congress, with Sharjah Institute for Heritage curating an Emirati Heritage Day that showcases crafts, cuisine, and maritime traditions, complemented by evening tours of landmarks such as Heart of Sharjah and the Rain Room. A new book on crisis empowerment strategies was also unveiled, alongside the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the University of Al Dhaid to expand rehabilitation programs.
With live interpretation in four languages, accessible communication tools such as “traffic light cards,” and dedicated relaxation spaces, the congress prioritizes inclusion in both content and format. Participants, including UN officials, government ministers, and youth leaders, lauded Sharjah’s role as a cultural bridge in advancing disability rights worldwide. The gathering concludes with Inclusion International’s General Assembly on September 18, where concrete outcomes for inclusive policies are expected to be endorsed.