On 5 March, the Italian Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli, took part in the “Zero Project 2025” conference, hosted for the thirteenth time at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna.
The Minister responded to the organisers’ invitation to join over 1,000 participants from more than 90 countries, who gathered to create a global platform for dialogue and exchange on disability inclusion. The discussions focused particularly on innovations in employment and information and communication technologies (ICT) for people with disabilities, as well as on the need to promote inclusive job opportunities and accessible solutions, in line with the broader objectives set by the United Nations General Assembly in preparation for the upcoming World Social Summit 2025.
As the keynote speaker of the conference, the Minister emphasised “the importance of involving as many stakeholders as possible to ensure dignity for people with disabilities in all aspects of daily life and housing. She also stressed the urgency of making services increasingly flexible, welcoming, and interconnected with local communities and other institutions”.
Following the conference, the Minister attended a reception at Palais Metternich, jointly organised by the Italian Ambassador to Austria, Giovanni Pugliese, and the Italian Ambassador to International Organisations in Vienna, Debora Lepre. During the evening, the Minister greeted the participants of the “Zero Project 2025” conference, inviting some of them to share their daily work in support of the inclusion of people with disabilities.
