WHO Bangladesh/ S Mahfuzul Huq
Key discussions of the conference centred on the provision of community-based services for early identification and intervention, creating employment opportunities, and facilitating supported independent living for individuals with ASD and NDDs. As part of the conference, WHO also organized a round table to discuss the “Collaborative framework for addressing autism spectrum disorder in the South-East Asia Region” which has been drafted to implement the “WHO South-East Asia Regional Strategy on Autism Spectrum Disorder”. The framework was advocated for, among others, by WHO Champion for ASD in South-East Asia, Ms Saima Wazed Hossain.
The conference concluded with the Thimpu Declaration which calls for a whole-of–society and whole-of-government approach to address ASD and NDDs. The declaration highlights the need to strengthen the national capacity of health, education and social care systems to provide effective and inclusive services and support to people with ASD and NDDs, and their families. Implementation of the declaration will create a more inclusive society and will enable countries to successfully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.