People with Disabilities: the effective implementation of international conventions advocated in Tunisia

Kinshasa, May 24^th, 2026 (CPA). – The effective implementation of international conventions for people with disabilities (PWDs) has been advocated by the Minister responsible for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during an official mission concluded on Saturday in Tunisia, as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive cooperation between the two countries, according to official sources. “I am delighted with the welcome I received. As regards strengthening inclusive cooperation, I have just shared the Congolese experience in Tunisia and have advocated for the effective implementation of international conventions,” has declared Ms Irene Esambo Diata, Minister Delegate in charge of PWD. Minister Esambo has also made several strategic visits focusing on social inclusion and the care of people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups (PWD-OVG). At the orthopaedic prosthetics centre in Ksar Said, the Congolese delegation, accompanied by Ms Esambo, was impressed by the Tunisian model for the manufacture of prostheses, orthoses and other high-tech adaptive equipment intended in particular for military personnel and police officers who have become disabled. These discussions have centred on the modernisation of the future Congolese orthopaedic centre, the digitisation of operations, and the training of Congolese technicians with the support of Tunisian experts. The Congolese Minister has visited the Higher Institute of Specialised Education (ISES) in Manouba, Tunisia’s only specialised higher education institution, before pleading for Tunisian experts to assist in training Congolese staff to care for children living with autism at the future specialised centre in DRC. The mission was concluded with a meeting with the centre’s director to discuss international mechanisms for the protection of women and other vulnerable persons, notably through United Nations Resolutions 1325 and 2475. It has been agreed that a cooperation agreement between the two parties will be signed shortly. CPA/