(TAP) - Tunisia is partaking in the 42nd session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs on the theme "People with disabilities and multidimensional poverty: further implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and beyond",

Tunisia is represented at this session, held on January 25 and 26 in Doha, by Minister of Social Affairs Malek Zahi, who heads a delegation composed of several executives of the ministry, according to a statement from the Social Affairs Department.

The participants in this 42nd session will focus on the preparation of the social file in order to submit it to the Arab summit in its 32nd session, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Discussions will focus on combating poverty in Arab countries and the rights of persons with disabilities within the framework of the sustainable development plan, in addition to examining the second Arab contract for persons with disabilities (2023-2030) and supporting social projects.

In his remarks, Zahi welcomed the initiative of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States which consists in the preparation of the second Arab contract for people with disabilities 2023-2030, considered as a reference framework for member states promoting the protection and economic and social inclusion of these people to ensure equal opportunities.

The Minister of Social Affairs affirmed that the social component has been highlighted in Tunisia in order to protect groups with special needs and guarantee their right to a decent life.

He said this vision is in line with the international guidelines for the achievement of the sustainable development goals by 2030 and the establishment of a national platform of social protection decided by the International Labour Organisation in 2012.