Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025: BYAN’s Participation, Contributions, and Reflections

The Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025, held from April 1–3 in Berlin, Germany, was a landmark global gathering of governments, civil society, donors, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), co-hosted by the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the Government of Germany, and the Government of Jordan. The summit aimed to strengthen the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and foster concrete commitments for disability-inclusive development.

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) actively engaged in the summit, representing Nepal’s youth with disabilities through high-level advocacy, exhibitions, and panel discussions. From early engagement in 2024 to being part of the Youth Call to Action drafting committee, BYAN played a key role in shaping global discourse on inclusive education, SRHR, political participation, and financial accessibility.

Key highlights include:

• A dynamic exhibition booth visited by over 1000 delegates, showcasing inclusive SRHR tools, accessible education materials, and youth-led innovations.
• Representation in multiple thematic sessions by BYAN’s delegates, including dialogues with global leaders like the German Chancellor and the King of Jordan.
• Contributions to major outcomes like the Amman-Berlin Declaration and Youth Call to Action, pushing for stronger accountability, inclusive policies, and youth leadership.

This report offers a comprehensive look at BYAN’s engagement before, during, and after the summit—capturing lessons learned, partnerships built, and a roadmap for future action.

📥 Download the full report to explore how BYAN is advancing inclusive development through youth leadership—locally, nationally, and globally.