Marking a first for the Middle East, Sharjah will host the 18th edition of the Inclusion International World Congress, We Are Inclusion, from September 15 to 17, 2025, at Expo Centre Sharjah, under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Organized by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in collaboration with Inclusion International, and supported by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau along with various local partners, the global forum will bring together experts in disability affairs, civil society representatives, international organizations, legislators, and policymakers.

The congress will focus on the legal frameworks governing the rights and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities. It will review current legislation and evaluate its adaptability to evolving social and technological contexts, with the aim of strengthening legal systems and advancing inclusive development strategies.

Key discussions will focus on international and national legislation, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UAE’s Federal Law No. 29 of 2006. UN recommendations and human rights principles will serve as important references for shaping policies.

Beyond legal frameworks, the agenda will address pressing issues such as inclusive education, access to the labor market, family and community support, healthcare, self-advocacy, and capacity building.

The congress aims to move the conversation beyond humanitarian aid, towards a broader developmental vision that ensures the full participation of people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of life.

Held every four years, the We Are Inclusion congress is among the world’s leading platforms for dialogue on inclusive policy and practice. It serves as a catalyst for international cooperation and the creation of actionable recommendations to advance inclusive societies.