At the invitation of Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Zhang Haidi, president of Rehabilitation International (RI) and chairperson of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), attended the 10th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), held in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 27-30, 2023. 

Zhang Haidi, president of RI and chairperson of the CDPF, delivers a keynote speech at the 2023 SDG Summit during the 10th APFSD, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 27-30, 2023. [Photo courtesy of CDPF]

Delivering a keynote speech at the 2023 SDG Summit at the 10th APFSD, Zhang noted that China has actively implemented the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, incorporated services for people with disabilities into general national economic and social development plans, and rolled out various policies promoting their employment, helping 7.1 million poor people with disabilities in China's rural areas to shake off absolute poverty. 

According to Zhang, great efforts have been made to create "Beautiful Crafts Workshops" across the country to help over 10,000 women with disabilities obtain employment, while the high-standard University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has been preliminarily built to cultivate high-level professionals.  

Zhang also introduced that the RI has promoted the establishment of public programs such as global development funds for people with disabilities and African funds, and has created RI awards for outstanding service.

She called for the opinions of disability organizations to be considered when making and implementing policies, and for stronger scientific and technological innovation and data to deepen national and regional collaboration and to jointly promote the inclusive development of people with disabilities.   

Zhang Haidi, president of RI and chairperson of the CDPF, attends a themed meeting on building accessible and inclusive cities and communities in the Asia-Pacific region during the 10th APFSD, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 27-30, 2023. [Photo courtesy of CDPF]

Zhang continued to share her personal experience during the APFSD at a themed meeting on building accessible and inclusive cities and communities in the Asia-Pacific region, discussing the importance of creating environments better suited for people with disabilities to help them lead independent lives. 

Besides introducing China's achievements, she also called for better public awareness of accessibility across the whole of society, fully guaranteeing the ability of disability organizations to participate in the whole process of building accessible environments and ensuring that the relevant rules and policies are carried out in earnest. 

Zhang Haidi, president of RI and chairperson of the CDPF, poses for a photo with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the ESCAP, during the 10th APFSD, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 27-30, 2023. [Photo courtesy of CDPF]

During her meeting with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana at the 10th APFSD, Zhang introduced China's latest achievements for people with disabilities and expressed her gratitude to ESCAP for its contribution in promoting disability services in the region as well as its support for China's cause of people with disabilities. 

Alisjahbana spoke highly of the achievements China has obtained in human rights protection for people with disabilities, congratulated the establishment of the University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and expressed her appreciation to Zhang for her important role in promoting the cause of people with disabilities in China and the Asia-Pacific region. 

Zhang also met with Han Zhiqiang, China's ambassador to Thailand, for a working-level talk. 

Zhang Haidi, president of RI and chairperson of the CDPF, meets Han Zhiqiang, China's ambassador to Thailand, for a working-level talk during the 10th APFSD, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 27-30, 2023. [Photo courtesy of CDPF]

The forum was hosted by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), under the theme "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels in Asia and the Pacific."

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