(Observer file photo)
April 7, 2025
CDB pledges commitment to disabled community
BERLIN, Germany (CMC) — The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to championing disability inclusion in the Caribbean region.
The bank gave the assurance at the Global Disability Summit 2025, which is jointly organised by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the German government and the International Disability Alliance.
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The event brought together global leaders to chart a unified path forward for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“At CDB, we believe that development must be inclusive, equitable and rights-based. The 2025 summit has reinforced the urgent need to place persons with disabilities at the centre of development efforts,” said Isaac Solomon, the CDB’s vice-president of operations.
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“We stand ready to support our borrowing member countries (BMCs) that endorsed the declaration in fulfilling their commitments to having at least 15 per cent of their development programmes at the country level pursue disability inclusion,” Solomon added.
He told the audience that the region’s premier financial institution is working to embed disability considerations into its projects, policies and performance standards, and is committed to strengthening partnerships across the region to achieve systemic change.
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The PWDs in the Caribbean continue to face disproportionate barriers to education, employment, healthcare, and social protection and the CDB said in response, it has taken meaningful steps to incorporate inclusive practices across its operations, from developing a disability inclusion checklist for infrastructure projects, to supporting regional assessments and building technical capacity within BMCs.
CDB Operations Officer, Anthony George, told the conference that the bank’s work goes beyond accessibility in buildings and extends to accessibility in policies, in opportunities and in mindsets.
“Inclusion begins with listening to the voices of persons with disabilities, involving them in decision-making and resourcing the institutions that represent them. Through strengthened data systems, targeted investments and meaningful engagement, we aim to help shape Caribbean societies that are more resilient, more just and more inclusive for all,” he added.
The CDB has since penned a letter of support endorsing the summit and its objectives and has committed itself to “continue to develop project and programme investments with the involvement of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and endeavours for all activities to be inclusive of and accessible to PWDs”.
CDB also expressed its alignment with the Amman-Berlin Declaration on Global Disability Inclusion, reinforcing its pledge to serve as a catalytic development partner to advance disability rights and dignity in the Caribbean.
It has reiterated its intention to support governments, civil society and regional partners in realising the full potential of all citizens.
