Vientiane, 16 May 2025 – The Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service Center (DMAS Center), in partnership with the ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF), held an Inclusive Dialogue Meeting to advocate for the integration of disability rights and social inclusion in climate change policies in Lao PDR. The event aimed to disseminate key findings from ADF’s regional policy study titled “Encouraging Social Inclusion and Disability Rights Principles on Climate Change Policy in Southeast Asian Countries.”
The meeting convened 26 participants, including representatives from government agencies, the United Nations, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), to foster collaboration and promote inclusive climate action. Held at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Vientiane, the event was designed to address the pressing exclusion of persons with disabilities from climate preparedness, response, and policy development.
Bridging Climate and Inclusion Agendas
Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Thongchanh Inthachak, ADF Country Representative, and Mr. SengAloun Louangraj, former Deputy Director of the National Committee for People with Disability. The agenda featured presentations on national disaster management, early warning systems, and the findings of the ADF policy study.
A dynamic interactive dialogue followed, providing a platform to discuss policy gaps, identify opportunities, and outline action points for inclusive climate policy implementation in Lao PDR.
Key Outcomes and Commitments
The dialogue yielded a strong consensus among participants on the following priorities:
Inclusive Data Collection: Involving key government agencies such as the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology and the Disaster Management Committee to ensure accurate and inclusive climate-related data.
Accessible Early Warning Systems: Enhancing early warning systems to ensure they are inclusive of men and women with disabilities.
Capacity Building: Strengthening government capacity to adopt disability- and gender-inclusive approaches in emergency planning and climate response.
Accessible Communication: Ensuring that emergency information is available in accessible formats for all, regardless of disability type or gender.
Partnership with OPDs: Deepening collaboration with OPDs to integrate the lived experiences of persons with disabilities into preparedness and response strategies.
Towards an Inclusive and Resilient Future
The event concluded with a collective commitment to pursue inclusive climate policies in Lao PDR. Participants recognized the urgent need for disability-inclusive action and reaffirmed the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration.
“This dialogue has laid a solid foundation for meaningful engagement among stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in climate response and disaster risk reduction,” said Mr. Thongchanh Inthachak in his closing statement.
The meeting marked a significant milestone in promoting a more equitable and resilient climate future for all communities in Lao PDR.