ABU DHABI: The Emirate of Abu Dhabi officially took up the mantle of organising and hosting the 20th World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) 2027 for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), organised by the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), during the celebration held at the Sheikh Zayed Festival (SZF) in Al Wathba in the presence of a cohort of leaders and officials.
Dr. Joseph J. Murray, WFD’s President, passed the baton to Abdullah Al Humaidan, ZHO’s Secretary-General.
H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ZHO’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, extended his highest congratulations to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the 20th WFD 2027 for the first time in the MENA, following a fierce competition from other biding countries during the voting process that took place during the 19th WFD held in Jeju, South Korea.
H.H. Sheikh Khalid also congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; and His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council, wishing protection, security, safety and prosperity for the UAE.
Sheikh Khalid thanked all the institutions and entities cooperating with ZHO and the team that prepared a comprehensive host biding file, playing a great part in winning the vote of the Congress members to choose the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In this context, H.H. spoke highly of the good coordination with representatives of the deaf associations and organisations from Arab countries and the WFD’s friendly countries, noting that this significant achievement reflects the great confidence of the international community in the UAE and its advanced infrastructure that highlights the great, successful organisation of major int
ernational events and activities, especially those for people of determination.
H.H. also confirmed that ZHO had begun, before the event, to prepare for hosting the Congress in order to make it the best ever in the WFD’s history, as 125 countries and more than 2,000 deaf participants from all over the world are expected to participate.
For his part, Abdullah Al Humaidan voiced his extreme pleasure with Abu Dhabi’s official takeover of organising the WFD Congress 2027, stressing that this step fulfills the vision of the UAE, in general, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in particular, on serving the people of determination, in an effort to build bridges of cooperation and exchange experiences with relevant local, regional and international partners with regard to develop and exchange experiences with various international bodies specialised in welfare of people of determination.
Hosting the WFD Congress for the first time in Abu Dhabi comes in implementation of the decision of the 19th Congress held in Jeju, So
uth Korea. Organised by ZHO, the 20th Congress will discuss common visions on integrating the deaf category into societies and raising awareness about their rights, capabilities and importance in the development process.
Organisers said the Congress is such an opportunity for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to present its successful story in caring for and empowering various categories of people of determination, especially the deaf, and a number of initiatives and policies that are consistent with international standards and embody the keenness to care for people of determination with the aim to render them active players in the sustainable development, as well as highlight efforts to create an appropriate environment that enhances life quality for people of determination and their families, and harness their energies to be able to produce and give, and facilitate their integration into society.
The meeting also aims to exchange the best global practices, experiences and knowledge among participating countries, a
nd exchange views and opinions on qualifying the deaf in all fields, providing all necessary care for them, developing relations with national organisations and federations concerned with the deaf group from countries around the world.
The Congress includes a large cultural program of stage performances, cinema, exhibitions, arts, and visits to the most prominent local landmarks. The WFD works on promoting the human rights of deaf around the world, focusing on improving the status of national sign languages, delivering better education for the deaf, improving access to information and services, in addition to improving the human rights of deaf in developing countries, and encouraging the establishment of organisations for the deaf.
Source: Emirates News Agency