New York City, New York (United Nations) and Staatsburg, New York…Anderson Center International (ACI) today announced that it partnered with the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, and the World Health Organization to hold an event at the United Nations during the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.
The HLPF, which ran this year from July 14th-23rd, 2025, is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) designed to “Leave No One Behind”. The theme of this year’s HLPF was “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”.
The event focused on “Sustainable, Inclusive, Science, and Evidence-Based Solutions for Individuals, Families, and Communities Dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorder.”
The keynote address was delivered by Ambassador Pema Lektup Dorji, Permanent Representative of Bhutan to the United Nations, who focused on the ways in which Bhutan, guided by Gross National Happiness, is working to build a more inclusive society for children and families impacted by autism.
Almaha Althani, Human Rights Expert, Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar of the United Nations, on behalf of Ambassador Sheikha Saif Al-Thani, also spoke.
Dr. Werner Obermeyer, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Office at UN Headquarters in New York, spoke and moderated the event.
Other presenters were Richard Rakesh, Chief Consultant for the Vinayaka Mission Research Foundation, India (former ACI scholar), and Stephen Kabenge of EmbraceKulture, Uganda, current ACI scholar.
ACI presenters were Noor Syed, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, Director of Anderson Center International, and Tondra Lynford, Chair of Anderson Center International’s Board of Trustees.
Said Patrick Paul, CEO and Executive Director of Anderson Center for Autism, “This was an extraordinary opportunity for us to showcase the work that has been done, and to ensure that attendees left with a deeper understanding of what is possible now and in the future. We’ve been doing this work for quite some time but need the support of people from all over the world in order to continue meeting the growing needs of this population. It is exciting to see the collective enthusiasm for our work, and we are confident that the best is yet to come for autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their loved ones.”
According to Director of Anderson Center International, Noor Syed, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, ACI obtained consultative status with the United Nations in 2020. “And more recently,” she shared, “we gained designation as a Civil Society Organization (CSO) with the UN Department of Global Communications, giving ACI additional opportunities to engage with the UN and the chance to connect with other global leaders. We are able to voice our thoughts on policy development and share ideas based on our extensive experience in international work.”
Syed continued, “Having the chance to speak at the United Nations 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development was an extraordinary honor for which we are all deeply grateful. This platform gave us a chance to shine a brighter light on the significance of our cause and why policy development and a spirit of collaboration are critical as we take the action steps needed to build more inclusive societies. My hope is that leaders worldwide will continue to make investments of time, talent, resources, and energy into a cause that impacts all of humanity.”
Noted Tondra Lynford, Chair of Anderson Center International’s Board of Trustees, “Caring for, educating, and maximizing potential for autistic and neurodivergent people is not only at the heart of all we do at ACI, but is truly a global humanitarian movement that deserves prompt attention. There are children and families who are struggling in every corner of the world; autism knows no boundaries. But together, we can develop and implement solutions to these challenges. By shedding light on what ACI has already achieved during our presentation at the UN and also conveying our aspirations for the future as part of the 2030 Leave No One Behind Agenda, we hope we’ve helped energize people of action from all over the globe.”
Noted Dr. Tina Marie Covington, Chief Operating Officer at Anderson Center for Autism, “With the exponential rise in autism incidence rates, there is an urgent need to build inclusive healthcare, education, and support systems. We have a great deal of work ahead of us, but we are already well on our way. Through our professional development offerings, ACI has helped many people in underserved countries where access to trained autism professionals has long been scarce or nonexistent. After completing ACI’s program, our scholars have contributed to supporting country efforts to transform the lives of families, giving autistic individuals the chance to learn, grow, and live more fully because of programs they are able to develop. With the help of colleagues from countries all over the world who we meet through events like this one at the United Nations, we are confident we can collectively expand impact for years to come.”
ACI’s mission is “to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism throughout the world in a systematic, sustainable, and culturally appropriate way.” Since its inception, Anderson Center International (an affiliate of Anderson Center for Autism) has sought to bridge gaps in education and care for autistic and neurodivergent people through a 12-18 month training program for scholars who travel from various continents to acquire knowledge and skills from Anderson experts (all rooted in evidence-based practices). Upon return to their home countries, those scholars have established schools, centers, and programs in regions where such services were previously unavailable.
An affiliate of Anderson Center for Autism (ACA), ACI welcomes inquiries from scholars, governments, and international organizations on a rolling basis.
Founded in 1924, ACA offers evidence-based educational, vocational, residential, and consulting/training programs, drawing students and residents from all over the United States to experience its school and residential offerings. In addition to Anderson Center International (ACI), ACA’s other affiliates include Anderson Center Consulting and Training (ACCT), The Anderson Center Clinic (ACC), three Anderson Early Learning Academy (AELA) programs, and Anderson Foundation for Autism (AFA).
Learn more about Anderson Center International (ACI) at andersoncenterforautism.org/international.
About Anderson Center for Autism: Our mission at Anderson Center for Autism is to optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.
About Anderson Center International: At ACI, our mission is to facilitate the improvement of the quality of life for individuals with autism throughout the world in a systematic, sustainable, and culturally significant way.
About Anderson Foundation for Autism: Through grantmaking, fundraising, and marketing initiatives, Anderson Foundation for Autism helps support, sustain, and expand upon Anderson Center for Autism’s efforts to optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.