The brochure for the forthcoming International Purple Fest Goa 2025, scheduled to take place from 9 to 12 October 2025 in Goa, was officially released at a special event at the UN House in New Delhi. The release was led by Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator for India, in the presence of Praveen Ambastha, Deputy Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Subhash Phaldessai, Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Goa, and Guruprasad Pawaskar, Goa State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
Speaking at the event, Shombi Sharp said: “The United Nations is honoured to join hands with the Government of Goa and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to support the International Purple Fest. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities by promoting universal design, removing barriers, and co-creating inclusive and resilient communities where every individual can thrive.”
This year’s Purple Fest is being organised in collaboration with the United Nations and will celebrate diverse abilities under the theme ‘Universal Design’.
The brochure launch also marked the unveiling of key highlights for the 2025 edition of the fest. These include a strong international presence, with participation from globally renowned speakers, leading NGOs, and discussions centred on best practices and inclusive policy frameworks from around the world. These global engagements will be coordinated in close partnership with the UN office, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to fostering inclusive, accessible, and resilient communities.
Phal Dessai expressed pride in the growing stature of the event, saying: “The International Purple Fest has become a symbol of Goa’s and India’s commitment to inclusion. This collaboration with the United Nations is a proud moment for us, as we reaffirm that accessibility is not a privilege but a right. With ‘Universal Design’ as the guiding theme, we are working to ensure full participation and dignity for every individual—regardless of ability—across both urban and rural settings.”
Marking a significant milestone in its journey, Purple Fest 2025 will embark on a landmark collaboration with the United Nations in India. This strategic partnership was officially announced by Shombi Sharp.
The collaboration aims to embed international best practices and align the Fest’s vision with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)’s core principles of non-discrimination, full and effective participation, accessibility, and equality of opportunity. With persons with disabilities at the forefront, the partnership aims to foster meaningful dialogue and drive innovation that can inform inclusive policies and practices in India and globally.
