The Regional Forum on Digital Transformation and Future of Work for Persons with Disabilities was held on 2 June 2025 at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, as well as online. The Regional Forum spotlighted the pivotal role of inclusive technologies, digital tools, and skills development in advancing labour market inclusion and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.
As our societies and economies rapidly became more digitalized, it was imperative to ensure that digital transformation enhanced, rather than hindered, the participation of persons with disabilities in the economy and society. Towards this aim, the Regional Forum convened representatives of governments, organizations of persons with disabilities, thematic experts, the private sector, and other relevant development partners in the field of digital inclusion from across the Asia-Pacific region. The Forum reviewed the current landscape and policy frameworks governing digital inclusion, took stock of progress and good practices, discussed opportunities and challenges, and identified forward-looking priorities for disability-inclusive digitalization in the context of work and economic empowerment. This Regional Forum was part of a regional initiative aimed at advancing disability-inclusive development across Asia and the Pacific, generously supported by Rehabilitation International.
Objectives of the Regional Forum included:
- Enhanced awareness of the challenges and opportunities for digital inclusion of persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.
- Highlighted achievements, good practices, innovative approaches, and lessons learned among stakeholders working to realize digital inclusion of persons with disabilities.
- Facilitated dialogue among decision-makers, public and private-sector actors, ICT experts, development partners, and representatives of persons with disabilities, including youth, to chart the way forward in disability-inclusive digitalization across the region.
For additional information, participants contacted Ms. Cai Cai (Chief of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section) and Ms. Tingting Chen (Social Affairs Officer, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section) at escap-sdd@un.org.
For more information, please see Regional Forum on Digital Transformation and Future of Work for Persons with Disabilities.