SESRIC convened the "SESRIC Conversations" on "Advancing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities across the OIC" on 6 October 2026, from 10:45 to 13:00, at the Al-Aqsa Library of SESRIC Headquarters in Ankara.

With an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide living with a significant disability, advancing the rights, dignity, inclusion, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities remains an important global development priority. Addressing the barriers faced by persons with disabilities requires sustained policy attention, strengthened institutional capacities, and enhanced cooperation among stakeholders.

The session provided a platform for policymakers, experts, and relevant stakeholders from the OIC Member Countries to exchange experiences, share good practices, and discuss practical approaches to promoting more inclusive and disability-responsive societies. It also contributed to raising awareness of the OIC Plan of Action on Persons with Disabilities and exploring avenues for its effective implementation.

In particular, the "SESRIC Conversations" focused on sharing leading practices and practical models that advance inclusion; strengthening awareness of the OIC Plan of Action on Persons with Disabilities; exploring opportunities for policy innovation and enhanced cooperation; and identifying common priorities in areas such as disability data, capacity building, and peer learning.

By facilitating dialogue and the exchange of experiences among OIC Countries, SESRIC aimed to contribute to strengthening partnerships and supporting more coherent and inclusive policy responses to disability. The initiative underscored the importance of placing the rights, dignity, and full participation of persons with disabilities at the centre of sustainable and inclusive development efforts across the OIC.