D-8 Disability Forum established through Karachi Declaration at Healthcare Expo 2026

A landmark step towards regional cooperation on disability inclusion was taken during Healthcare Expo 2026 in Karachi with the formal establishment of the D-8 Disability Forum through the Karachi Declaration

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2026) A landmark step towards regional cooperation on disability inclusion was taken during Healthcare Expo 2026 in Karachi with the formal establishment of the D-8 Disability Forum through the Karachi Declaration.

The announcement was made by Dr. Kemal Aydin, President Ibne Sina Institute and the World Council on Aging, Türkiye. Speaking at the event, Dr. Kemal emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration among the D-8 member countries to promote the rights, inclusion, rehabilitation, and empowerment of persons with disabilities. He announced the formation of a regional alliance, the D-8 Disability Forum, to advance these shared goals, said a press release received here.

As part of the Karachi Declaration, National Disability and Development Forum (NDF) Pakistan was unanimously designated as the Lead Organization of the D-8 Disability Forum, recognizing its longstanding contributions to disability inclusion, rehabilitation, advocacy, and humanitarian action.

Expressing his gratitude, Abid Lashari, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, President NDF Pakistan, said it was a great honour and an immense responsibility for NDF Pakistan to lead the D-8 Disability Forum.

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"We are committed to working closely with our partners across all D-8 countries to empower persons with disabilities, strengthen Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), promote inclusive policies, and enhance regional cooperation for equal opportunities and sustainable development, especially to represent voice of unheated people during COP-31, Turkey," he said.

The establishment of the D-8 Disability Forum marked a significant milestone in promoting collaboration among D-8 countries to ensure that persons with disabilities were fully included in social, economic, educational, and development initiatives. The Forum would facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building, policy dialogue, and joint advocacy to advance disability rights across the D-8 region including nine countries Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Türkiye (Turkey) and Azerbaijan.

The D-8 was established in 1997 to strengthen economic cooperation, trade, investment, technology exchange, and sustainable development among its member countries, which together represent a population of over one billion people.