The Sultanate of Oman highlighted its efforts to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities during its participation in the 19th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York over three days.

The Conference brings together States Parties, international organisations and civil society institutions concerned with the rights of persons with disabilities. It coincides with the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and is being held under the theme of promoting inclusion and the full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life. Discussions focused on protection from violence and exploitation, strengthening care and support systems and expanding participation and representation in public and political life.

In its statement, the Omani delegation highlighted the significance of the occasion in renewing commitment to the principles established by the Convention and building on the achievements made over the past two decades.

The statement noted that the Basic Law of the State, issued under Royal Decree No. 6/2021, affirms the Oman’s commitment to supporting persons with disabilities and promoting equality and equal opportunities.

It also pointed to a significant legislative development over the past year with the promulgation of the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities under Royal Decree No. 92/2025. The law reflects Oman’s commitment to the Convention, reinforces the principles of non discrimination, equal opportunities and full inclusion, and strengthens the rights of persons with disabilities in inclusive education, healthcare and other fields. It also establishes institutional mechanisms for monitoring, coordination and follow up.

The statement highlighted the law’s focus on the economic and professional empowerment of persons with disabilities. It requires government entities and employers to allocate no less than 5% of jobs and professions to qualified persons with disabilities, while ensuring their access to all employment rights and benefits and providing the necessary workplace accommodations to enable them to perform their duties on an equal basis with others.

The statement also reviewed a number of institutional developments in Oman, including the establishment of a new sector at the level of Undersecretary within the Ministry of Social Development to oversee the development of services for persons with disabilities and to promote their empowerment and inclusion.

It further referred to the directives to establish an Autism Spectrum Disorder Care and Rehabilitation Centre, which will provide specialised and integrated services to support the educational and social inclusion of persons with autism spectrum disorder. Studies are also being conducted to assess rehabilitation needs across Oman’s governorates with a view to establishing similar centres in partnership with the private sector as part of corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The statement added that Oman has launched the unified digital rehabilitation platform “Taheel” to facilitate access by persons with disabilities and their families to rehabilitation services. It noted that the number of government and private rehabilitation centres across Oman has reached 139.