A commemorative event is taking over the United Nations headquarters in New York to represent Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania from their vision.

The day features panels dedicated to each geographic region, and exclusively autistic speakers share experiences and thoughts on the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals.

To mark the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an inclusive and accessible world for all, by celebrating the significant contributions of autistic people in all countries and communities.

Around the world, they continue to face barriers to their fundamental rights to education, employment, and social inclusion, as established in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN chief said.

Since 2007, the United Nations General Assembly has established this World Day, recognizing the importance of raising public awareness about autism.

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