We are a constituency of 71 organisations of & for persons with disabilities and Associate members representing diverse groups of persons with disabilities and their supporters in 22 Pacific Island countries and territories.
Our Dream is an inclusive Pacific society where all human rights of all persons with disabilities are realized for an inclusive Pacific 2030
Pacific Disability Forum Welcomes Australia’s $50 Million Investment to Advance Disability Rights Across the Indo-Pacific
03 December 2025
The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) warmly welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement of a $50 million investment to strengthen disability rights across the Indo-Pacific through the Stronger Movements, Stronger Futures initiative.
The announcement was jointly made by The Honourable Anne Aly MP, Minister for International Development and The Honourable Penny Wong, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
During the announcement, Minister Wong highlighted that, one year after launching Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS), the Australian government is strengthening partnerships with organisations led by people with disabilities. She further added that the historic investment will empower these organisations to drive change, shape policy, and ensure the voices of people with disabilities are represented at all levels of decision-making.
CEO of the Pacific Disability Forum, Sainimili Tawake, warmly welcomes Australia’s outstanding commitment and says, that “we at PDF are very excited by the announcement from the Australian Government through the Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for International Development regarding the country’s strengthened commitment to the Indo-Pacific through the new $50 million flagship initiative, Stronger Movements, Stronger Futures.”
PDF CEO added that “Australia’s bold and transformative investment in two regional and one international organisation of persons with disabilities (OPDs), simultaneously and for the same period, is truly commendable. This commitment reflects Australia’s recognition of the value and capability of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. It demonstrates a genuine and meaningful partnership, grounded in trust and friendship, with these regional and global OPDs.”
PDF CEO further added that, this commitment from the Australian Government will significantly strengthen PDF’s work across the Pacific, enabling our OPDs to reach people with disabilities in remote communities who are too often left behind. It will also amplify our influence and advocacy efforts to dismantle the barriers that continue to hinder full participation. This investment will deliver meaningful and lasting benefits for persons with disabilities in the Pacific, resulting in impactful and positive changes in their lives.”
CEO PDF concludes by saying that” this investment clearly reflects that Australia greatly value persons with disabilities and their organisation and acknowledges Australia for this bold and transformative investment. “
Australia’s will support collaboration between PDF, the International Disability Alliance, and the ASEAN Disability Forum, creating a united front to advance disability equity and rights throughout the region.
The announcement by the Australian Government coincides with International Day of People with Disability, reinforcing the shared commitment to building a region where no one is left behind.
Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) Response to Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS) 3rd December 2024
In its message to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Pacific Disability Forum expresses its strong support for the recent launch of Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS).
On November 28, 2024, the IDEARS was officially launched in Canberra’s Federal Parliament House by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy MP, and Minister Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services. The event was attended by over one hundred distinguished guests including many Disability Champions and Ambassadors from Australia and neighbouring countries. Among those present was Ms. Sainimili Tawake, Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) who says, ‘Through this Strategy, the Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing disability rights as fundamental human rights, addressing discrimination and exclusion at all levels of society.’
Ms Tawake emphasised that the Strategy highlights the importance of bringing focused efforts to disability equity and rights and recognising the needs to meet essential preconditions to enable inclusion of people with disabilities in all their diversity. Ms Tawake added that the strategy underscores Australia’s dedication to international collaboration and to ensuring that disability rights principles are integrated into broader development agendas on the regional and global levels.
The Strategy shows a strong commitment to ensuring persons with disabilities and their representative organisations are included in all aspects of international cooperation. Ms Tawake says ‘Moreover this Strategy shows the Australian Government has taken on board strong advocacy calls around the need to provide appropriate support to the disability movement to enable their participation, such as core funding, capacity building, partnerships and leadership opportunities. PDF looks forward to working with the Australian Government on the shaping and delivery of these commitments and initiatives.’
PDF acknowledges the Australian Government for its global leadership in developing this transformative strategy and is particularly encouraged by the Strategy’s focus on the Pacific region, and significant investment of $12 million for assistive technology.
Ms Tawake concluded that while it is a time to celebrate, eyes must also be set on the Strategy’s set of disability equity performance targets for its international development program. These aim for 60 percent of all of Australia’s international aid and humanitarian programming to be performing effectively on disability equity by 2026. This target will increase to 70 percent by 2030. These benchmarks are designed to hold the program accountable and ensure that it actively contributes to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. PDF stands ready to support Australia in the rollout of the strategy.
For more information, please email to: infor@pacificdisability.org
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PDF is currently supported by the Australian Aid through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as well as through New Zealand Aid which is funded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). Both the DFAT and MFAT supports PDF through both core and program funding.
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Our members are organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) spread across 22 pacific island countries and territories.
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