EDF's work in the Asia-Pacific region

The European Union (EU) is the world’s largest aid donor. It funds and implements projects worldwide where persons with disabilities should be included. EDF holds the EU accountable and ensures organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) are consulted in EU policy and programming. We want to facilitate the liaison between DPOs and EU Delegations staff to ensure persons with disabilities are engaged in EU work towards different regions of the world.

Scroll down to learn more

Our sister organisations in Asia-Pacific (APAC)

EDF works closely with the ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF) and the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF)

Contact of the ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF):

Email: secretariat@aseandisabilityforum.org or adfsecretariat9@gmail.com
Twitter: @DisabilityFrm
Facebook: ASEAN Disability Forum
Address: Jl. Cempaka Putih Tengah XXVI A No. 11A, RT. 002/006 Cempaka Putih, Jakarta Pusat 10510, Indonesia

Contact of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF):

Email: infor@pacificdisability.org
Twitter: @PDFSEC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PacificDisabilityForum
Address: Level 1, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade, Suva, Suva City, Fiji

APAC's Commitment to the CRPD /Disability Rights

APAC’s commitment to the UNCRPD has been seen through the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, with the now ended edition of 2013 – 2022 guided by the  UN ESCAP Incheon strategy to “Make the Right Real” for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. With the end of the 2013-2022 edition, the APAC reaffirms their commitment to the UNCRPD through the Jakarta Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023–2032 adopted in October 2022.

As of July 2022, 47 of the 53 ESCAP member states have ratified the UN CRPD.

The EU in Asia-Pacific

The EU’s external work is mainly led by the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EU and the ASEAN fortified their longstanding relationship by becoming strategic partners in 2020 with main areas of cooperation being economic cooperation, security cooperation, sustainable connectivity and sustainable development. The EU-ASEAN also hold policy dialogues on Human Rights with the most recent (4th session) held in October 2022 in Jakarta covering a broad range of human rights issues including the rights of persons with disabilities. The EU has also in September 2019 signed a Joint Declaration with the Pacific Alliance to intensify their cooperation and political agreement.

For more information about the EU in the APAC at regional and national levels, check out the list of EU Delegations in APAC.

EDF, the EU and APAC

The EU in the “Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030” continues to uphold the human rights of persons with disabilities and their social inclusion in all its international relation as part of the EU external action.