The event formed part of ASEAN’s efforts to ensure the most disabled-friendly infrastructure facilities, equipment and legal framework to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Addressing the event, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh said the bloc has made long-term efforts and initiatives to promote the ASEAN Community based on the roadmaps for building the ASEAN Community in 2015 and by 2025. It has issued the Bali Declaration on the enhancement of the role and participation of persons with disabilities in the ASEAN Community, the ASEAN Decade of Persons with Disabilities, the ASEAN Declaration on strengthening social protection, and action plans to eliminate violence against women and children. Participants underlined challenges in implementing policies and programmes to empower the disabled. The event mentioned the ASEAN Strategic Framework and Plan of Action for Social Welfare 2016-2020, which prioritises people with disabilities. ASEAN will enhance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as supervise and evaluate the ASEAN Decade of Persons with Disabilities 2011-2020.