The International Disability Alliance (IDA) operates as a global advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities within major international frameworks like the G20 and G7. With over a decade of experience in multilateral advocacy, IDA effectively represents its member organizations, coordinates across regions, and promotes the participation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in shaping policies at the highest levels of international decision-making.
Our Strategies: Representation and participation
IDA represents its members on international platforms, ensuring that OPDs and persons with disabilities are central to decision-making processes. This representation involves advocating for inclusive policies, ensuring accessibility in consultations, and promoting the inclusion of OPD perspectives in policy drafts. By working with its regional members from the region where the G7 or G20 Presidency is held, IDA facilitates a coordinated approach to advocacy and amplifies the voices of persons with disabilities from diverse regions.
IDA also empowers its members by facilitating OPD participation in international forums, providing technical support, and sharing expertise to strengthen their voices in these processes andnegotiations. Through training and capacity-building initiatives, IDA helps OPDs articulate their needs and recommendations, ensuring they are well-prepared to participate in international policy processes.
Active participation in working groups and drafting processes
IDA’s participation in working groups and drafting processes within the G20 and G7 frameworks ensures that policies reflect the rights of persons with disabilities. This involvement enables IDA to provide direct input during the drafting phases, ensuring that accessibility, inclusivity, and the protection of rights are integral to policy outcomes. With its in-depth understanding of both frameworks and long-term experience, IDA navigates the complexities of the G7 and G20 processes, leveraging its expertise to advocate effectively for disability-inclusive development.
G7 2024 – Italian Presidency
In 2024, under Italy's G7 Presidency, the rights of persons with disabilities took center stage like never before, marking a historic milestone for inclusion and accessibility on the international stage. This presidency was instrumental in advancing disability rights, culminating in the adoption of the Solfagnano Charter—a significant achievement for the disability rights movement and a testament to Italy’s dedication to these issues. IDA had a major role in this process, including interim Executive Director Jose Viera, in moderating Ministerial-level events at the Disability Summit.
The Solfagnano Charter: A Commitment to Disability Rights
The Solfagnano Charter was finalized and adopted during the G7 Inclusion and Disability Summit, held as part of Italy’s G7 Presidency. This landmark document represents a collective commitment by G7 member states to the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Charter outlines eight key priorities for disability inclusion, ranging from universal accessibility and independent living to labor inclusion and full participation in civil, social, and political life. These priorities serve as a guiding framework for G7 countries to enact concrete policies that improve the lives of persons with disabilities globally.
A historic level of inclusion and disability summit
For the first time in G7 history, a ministerial meeting exclusively dedicated to disability and inclusion was held. This summit, envisioned by Italy’s Minister for Disability Alessandra Locatelli, brought together ministers and high-level representatives from G7 member states in a three-day event that underscored the commitment to universal accessibility and inclusion. The summit’s agenda, inspired by the G7’s mission of addressing issues of global importance, focused on advancing disability rights and highlighting the need for inclusive policies across member states.
On October 16, ministers convened for a closed-door session at Castello di Solfagnano. This meeting concluded with the adoption of the Solfagnano Charter, an accomplishment highlighted in the leaders’ final G7 document. The Charter formalizes the commitment of G7 countries to disability rights, recognises IDA and EDF’s role in the process going forward, and underscoring Italy’s role in shaping a future of equal opportunities and representation for persons with disabilities. A final press conference and a lunch organized by disability-focused associations followed, symbolizing the collective achievements of the summit and reaffirming the G7’s commitment to disability inclusion.
IDA's interim Executive Director Jose Viera with Italian Minister for Disability Ms Alessandra Locatelli
IDA’s role in the G7
Throughout Italy’s G7 Presidency, the International Disability Alliance (IDA) played a critical role in advocating for disability rights. Together with IDA member, the European Disability Forum (EDF) facilitated meaningful participation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), ensuring their voices were integral to the summit’s proceedings and the development of the Solfagnano Charter. IDA’s long-standing expertise in international advocacy, including within the G7’s rotating presidency framework, was crucial in shaping the Charter’s priorities and securing commitments to lasting change.
Building momentum for inclusive global policies through the G7 and G20
Italy’s G7 Presidency set a powerful precedent for future summits, emphasizing that inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment of persons with disabilities are not only human rights issues but essential for social and economic progress. The Solfagnano Charter stands as a testament to the G7’s commitment and serves as a guiding document for member countries to work toward tangible improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities, building momentum for disability rights on a global scale.
IDA’s role in the G20
The G20 comprises 19 countries plus the European Union, representing the world’s major economies. Although the G20 lacks a permanent secretariat, it operates through a presidency rotation, supported by a "troika" consisting of the previous, current, and future presidencies to maintain continuity. IDA leverages this structure by establishing strong relationships with each presidency, actively engaging with relevant stakeholders, and coordinating with regional organizations. For instance, with the G20 presidency held by South Africa in 2025, IDA collaborates closely with its member, the African Disability Forum (ADF) to ensure African voices and perspectives are integral to discussions. Through active participation in working groups and the drafting processes, IDA works with its regional partners to advocate for disability rights and inclusive policies within the G20 agenda.
Overcoming structural challenges
The rotating presidency structure of the G20 and G7 can create challenges for consistent advocacy, yet IDA's experience enables it to maintain continuity in its efforts. By building and nurturing relationships with multiple stakeholders across the troika (G20) or through each G7 presidency, IDA continues to ensure that disability rights remain part of the conversation year after year.
