Geneva: HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad took part in an interactive dialogue with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Geneva. The discussions, held on August 12 and 13, focused on Qatar's combined periodic reports from the second to the fourth, submitted in line with Article 35 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
According to Qatar News Agency, the dialogue saw participation from a national delegation that included representatives from various Qatari ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Interior, Public Health, Education and Higher Education, Social Development and Family, and Labor. The Supreme Judiciary Council and a representative of persons with disabilities were also part of the delegation, demonstrating the inclusive approach Qatar is adopting towards implementing the Convention's provisions.
The dialogue addressed various issues concerning the Convention's implementation in Qatar, touching on legislative and institutional advancements, policy and program adoptions, and measures enhancing equality, nondiscrimination, accessibility, education, health, employment, social protection, and public life participation.
In her address, HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation emphasized Qatar's commitment to using this dialogue as a platform for assessment, learning, and experience exchange. She reviewed the significant progress in Qatar's national system, while considering the Committee's insights and recommendations to further develop national policies, legislation, and practices.
Her Excellency outlined Qatar's evolution in disability rights, highlighting a shift from care to rights, service provision to barrier removal, and protection to empowerment. She stressed the importance of recognizing persons with disabilities as active societal and developmental partners rather than mere beneficiaries.
She elaborated on the legislative strides, notably the enactment of Law No. (22) of 2025, which secures principles of equality, nondiscrimination, accessibility, and rights to inclusive education, health, and social protection, while promoting autonomy, independent living, and societal participation.
Her Excellency noted that the promotion of disability rights forms a core pillar of Qatar's human rights strategy. This is supported by national strategies like the National Strategy of the Ministry of Social Development and Family (2025-2030) and the Third National Health Strategy (2024-2030). Qatar is also progressing towards a National Strategy for Persons with Disabilities to create an integrated framework for empowerment and progress measurement.
Internationally, she highlighted Qatar's contributions including support for autism and deaf blindness initiatives, sponsorship of a UN General Assembly resolution adopting June 27 as the International Day for Deaf blindness, participation in the Global Autism Alliance launch, and preparation for the Fourth Global Disability Summit in Doha in 2028.
Her Excellency reiterated Qatar's dedication to advancing human rights, asserting that collaboration with UN human rights bodies enhances both national and international efforts. She underscored the necessity of international cooperation for sustainable progress in human rights, advocating for continued collaboration with the Committee and global stakeholders to overcome challenges, uphold disability rights, and ensure inclusivity.