The Lao government and development partners convened in Lao capital Vientiane to discuss ways to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and explore opportunities for promoting their inclusion in the country's development.

According to Lao News Agency report on Wednesday, the third annual Disability Policy Dialogue (ADPD) under the theme "Disability Inclusive Social Protection" was organized by the Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and its development partners.

The Brief Model Disability Survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 revealed that 23 percent of the adult population in Laos experience severe forms of disabilities.

Despite existing national legislations and policy directions, persons with disabilities are still excluded from mainstream development in the country, said the report.

During the meeting on Tuesday, key development partners shared experiences and ideas to identify and address the barriers faced by disabled people to fully and effectively participate in the socio-economic development of Laos and to benefit from an inclusive social protection system on an equal basis.

The policy dialogue identified the need for greater collaboration and coordination among different stakeholders to address the challenges and take tangible actions of disability inclusive social protection.