The Amman-Berlin Declaration (ABD), one of the most powerful outcomes of the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025, continues to build momentum worldwide. By October 2025, 100 governments, UN entities, regional organisations, and international financial institutions had already endorsed and supported the Declaration, with more expected in the months ahead. This growth in support confirms the ABD’s place as a milestone for disability-inclusive international cooperation.
But endorsement is only the beginning, real progress happens through collaboration and action. To bring the Declaration to life, several key steps are already underway.
One such initiative is the Joint Helpdesk (JHD). The JHD is a new, collaborative platform that brings together expertise and resources to support countries in implementing the ABD’s goals. The JHD has the following offers:
- Country Data Briefs, providing analysis on the state of disability inclusion in ODA portfolios and donor landscapes.
- Standardised training, both facilitated and self-paced, on the Declaration’s 15% target, the OECD DAC disability inclusion marker, and disability inclusion in development programs.
- On-demand, country-specific advisory services, tailored to national needs and designed in close collaboration with existing development cooperation structures.
The Helpdesk represents a true partnership among the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of BMZ, the UN Global Disability Fund (UNGDF), UNICEF, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA). Coordinated by a dedicated Secretariat hosted at GIZ, the JHD officially began operations in September 2025. The Secretariat can be contacted at gds-declaration@giz.de
Explore more resources and updates about the JHD on the newly launched ABD page!
At the same time, the Global Action on Disability (GLAD) Amman-Berlin Declaration Working Group (ABD WG) has been established as a space for knowledge exchange and strategic collaboration, especially on portfolio development from donor perspectives. Co-chaired until the end of 2026 by BMZ, Jordan’s Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), and IDA, the Working Group will:
- Map existing programs in endorsing countries
- Capture lessons learned and identify opportunities for collaboration
- Provide targeted support to reach the 15% target for disability-inclusive development
The ABD WG will convene its first virtual meeting on 18 November 2025.
Together, these efforts mark an exciting new phase in translating global commitments into tangible, country-level progress for disability inclusion.
For more information, contact the GLAD Secretariat at glad@ida-secretariat.org