The 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 77) in September 2025 provided a critical platform for ATscale to advance the global dialogue on access to assistive technology (AT). ATscale utilized this week of high-level events—from 22 to 27 —to engage governments, international partners, and civil society to continue the advocacy drumbeat for the integration of AT into global health and development agendas.
Goals house: resilience, inclusion and transformation
The Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity brought together Tala Al Ramahi, Catherine Townsend, and Leopoldine Huyghues Despointes, who challenged assumptions and argued for inclusion to be designed into every system rather than added as an afterthought.
The ATscale team kicked off the week at Goals House on September 22, joining a networking event with a focus on designing inclusion into core systems. ATscale Goodwill Ambassador, Leopoldine Huyghues Despointes, participated in the conversation on resilience, inclusion and transformation with her keynote address. The event was hosted by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity(MBZFH) entitled, Unlocking Potential: Disability Inclusion as a Catalyst for Sustainable Progress. The discussion convened donors, advocates, civil society, and global development leaders to explore the opportunity of inclusion and the need for bolder investment and action to accelerate progress for all.
Dr Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics International, concluded that to mainstream disability inclusion, we need to "turn the hard work of change into the necessity of inclusion".
UNICEF and ATscale breakfast roundtable discussion (23 September)
In New York, UNICEF hosted a discussion on scaling up access to assistive technology to unlock children’s potential. The event brought together representatives from governments, foundations and partner organizations.
Taking advantage of so many leaders being gathered in New York, UNICEF invited ATscale to co-host a discussion on scaling up access to assistive technology to unlock children’s potential.
With representation from the governments of Australia, Pakistan, Rwanda, and the UK, foundations, including Grand Challenges Canada and MBZFH, and partners such as IAPB, SightSavers and CHAI, the discussion emphasized that AT—such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, and communication devices—are essential tools that unlock a child’s right to learn and participate. As George Laryea-Adjei of UNICEF said, “AT transforms lives. It’s essential for children’s learning, development, and participation. A pair of eyeglasses, a hearing aid, or a communication device are simple tools that unlock a child’s right to learn and be heard.”
The conversation focused on finding common solutions and innovative funding approaches, including blended financing and the need for strong, aligned systems across health, education, and social welfare.
UNOPS Hosted Engagements Reception
Leopoldine with Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of UNOPS, and Pascal Bijleveld, CEO of ATscale, at the UNOPS Hosted Engagements Reception.
Later that day, ATscale Goodwill Ambassador Leopoldine Huyghues Despointes formalized her role during the UNOPS Hosted Engagements Reception. A meeting with Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of UNOPS, underscored the strong partnership and support ATscale receives from the UN system.
Clinton Global Initiative 2025 Annual Meeting
ATscale CEO, Pascal Bijleveld, was among a select group of leaders in international development and global health during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting on September 24, where he participated in a working group session on health action. The group focused on bolstering public health systems and developing practical solutions together as they discussed what it will take to truly invest in disability-inclusive healthcare, integrated into every global priority, and how to find the resources to transform access and outcomes. Others in the group included Sara Minkara, Former US Special Advisor on Disability, Gopal Mitra, Head of Disability at UNICEF, Sherman Gillums, Jr, Executive Director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and Anastasia Somoza, disability rights advocate.
ATscale CEO Pascal Bijleveld (second right) attended a working group session on health action at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting.
High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) (25 September)
The culmination of ATscale’s policy advocacy came during the HLM on NCDs, where Heads of State and Government met to set a new vision for disease prevention and mental health through the UN declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). ATscale CEO, Pascal Bijleveld, was in the room and delivered a powerful statement, stressing the critical link between NCDs and the need for assistive technology.
He urged all Member States to commit to the robust inclusion of AT in the Political Declaration on NCDs, noting that NCDs often lead to physical impairments, and AT products like therapeutic footwear, wheelchairs, and crutches are essential tools for preventing severe complications (such as ulcers and amputation for people with diabetes) and supporting daily life. Concluding his address, Pascal stated: “Therefore, I urge all member states to commit to the robust inclusion of assistive technology in the Political Declaration on NCDs.”
Sadly, the UN Declaration on NCDs failed to win formal endorsement despite broad support and wide consensus from leaders on the need to act on NCDs. The resolution will be put forward for approval at the next plenary session of the General Assembly, likely later in October. Find out more
A glitzy end to a busy week: on stage at the Global Citizen Festival
The week culminated in a high-profile stage moment, with ATscale’s Goodwill Ambassador Leopoldine Huyghues Despointes taking the stage at the Global Citizen Festival, further amplifying ATscale’s message of AT access and inclusion to a broad public audience. The speech highlighted the critical role of AT in achieving equitable education, noting that more than 240 million children have a disability, many of whom do not attend school in developing countries.
Highlighting the urgency and the solution, she announced: “ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is collaborating with Global Citizen and Messika Foundation to reach more than 10 million children across low and middle-income countries to receive vital vision, hearing, mobility products and services—the assistive technology they need to access education.”
Outcome and key point of interest
ATscale’s overall engagement successfully elevated the discourse around assistive technology, strengthened existing partnerships and fostered new collaborations to drive collection action and investment in AT. Through high-level discussions, strategic partnerships, and public outreach, ATscale effectively amplified its message of AT access and inclusion to a broad international audience.