UN Namibia Advances Disability Inclusion Through UNCT Capacity Building Training

WINDHOEK, Namibia (14–15 April 2026) – As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the implementation of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), UN Namibia convened a two-day UN Country Team (UNCT) Disability Inclusion Training, facilitated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Headquarters with the support of the Disability Inter-Agency Group.

The virtual training marked the first phase of system-wide capacity building on disability inclusion across the UN system in Namibia. It brought colleagues together to strengthen a shared understanding of UNDIS requirements and build the skills needed to ensure that persons with disabilities are intentionally and meaningfully included across programmes, operations, partnerships and communications.

• Across two interactive sessions, participants engaged with practical tools and approaches focused on:
• Human rights-based approaches to disability inclusio
• Applying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and UNDIS in programming
• Using disability-disaggregated data for planning, monitoring and reporting
• Designing inclusive programmes and strengthening resource mobilization

Beyond technical learning, the training also created space for reflection and dialogue, encouraging colleagues to challenge assumptions and deepen a shared understanding of what it means to deliver inclusive, people-centred results.

The initiative supports UN Namibia’s broader efforts to mainstream disability inclusion across all areas of work, in the same way that gender equality is integrated into planning, implementation and accountability processes. By strengthening staff capacity, shared language and practical application, the training contributes to more inclusive decision-making and improved development outcomes.

The training also supports the effective implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in Namibia. By strengthening the capacity of UN staff to integrate disability-inclusive approaches, the UN system is better positioned to deliver coordinated, equitable and inclusive results aligned with national priorities, ensuring that persons with disabilities are meaningfully included in sustainable development efforts.

This first phase of capacity building further contributes to UN Namibia’s institutional evidence base for UNDIS reporting, including inputs to UN INFO and the UN Disability Inclusion Scorecard, reinforcing accountability, coherence and continuous improvement across the UN system.

UN Namibia remains committed to ensuring that disability inclusion is not treated as an add-on, but as a core principle guiding how we work—so that no one is left out.