Qatar Underlines Efforts to Implement 2030 National Vision Goals

Qatar Underlines Efforts to Implement 2030 National Vision Goals

New York / Information Office / February 13  

The State of Qatar underscored its great efforts to implement the goals stated in Qatar National Vision 2030, which included coherent strategies in which development projects and strategies are in line with the goals of the Commission for Social Development in particular and the United Nations in general.

This came in a statement made by HE Assistant Undersecretary for Social Affairs, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs Ghanem Mubarak Al Kuwari before the 58th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development, which started its work on Monday.

HE Al Kuwari stated that the State of Qatar is seeking, through the competent authorities, to provide adequate and appropriate housing for all, as the housing law, which regulated the use of the appropriate housing, covers all segments of society, where the law regulates the use of the right to housing in terms of "housing with a loan" for those who can pay off the scheduled loan, and accommodate those in need for those covered by the social security program.

He also pointed out the advantages of the housing law, including long-term financing in comfortable installments, the provision of lands intended for construction without cost, drawing approved engineering plans, providing basic services such as electricity and water, and demolishing and rebuilding old homes and maintaining them for citizens at no cost.

HE Al Kuwari praised the ministerial decision on specifying the conditions and specifications for suitable housing for workers, as this decision included all specifications related to providing a suitable housing for expatriate workers in accordance with recognized international standards, set the minimum and necessary health requirements for workers' housing, which is subject per the law to sudden periodic inspection by the Labor Inspection Department at the Ministry. He pointed out that the State of Qatar is building several residential cities for workers that comply with these requirements per advanced strategies.

HE Assistant Undersecretary continued that the primary goal of the population policy adopted by the State of Qatar for 2017-2022 is (achieving a balance between population growth and the requirements of sustainable development, in a manner that guarantees a decent life for the residents of the State of Qatar, raises their capabilities, expands their options, and raises the levels of their participation in the progress of Qatari society).

On protecting and promoting the rights of women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, His Excellency noted the recent decision of the Council of Ministers to establish the National Committee for Woman, Child, Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Affairs.

He pointed out that the National Committee has granted wide powers to protect and promote the rights of these groups, including monitoring their conditions, proposing the necessary ways to promote and follow up the achievement of the goals contained in international agreements and covenants ratified by the State of Qatar related to their rights, studying the legislation related to them, and proposing to amend them to comply with international agreements ratified by the State of Qatar.

HE Assistant Undersecretary for Social Affairs, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs Ghanem Mubarak Al Kuwari expressed the aspiration of the State of Qatar to build an effective social protection system for all Qataris that takes into account their civil rights, appreciates their effective participation in the development of society, and provides them with sufficient income to maintain dignity and health.

HE Al Kuwari stressed that social protection in the State of Qatar is an essential component of an integrated methodology for sound social development aimed at achieving development for its citizens, and building a safe and stable society. He explained that the framework of the social protection strategy is based on three pillars on which the basis of the strategic priorities was determined: social welfare, social capital, and the family.

His Excellency stated that social welfare in the State of Qatar is based on the establishment of an integrated, effective, and sustainable social welfare system that works to develop social protection systems and legislation and enhance opportunities for career and social rehabilitation for the vulnerable segments.

To increase the effectiveness of social capital, the State of Qatar relies on doubling the range of services of relevant civil society institutions, and promoting voluntary social work and community participation by increasing the number of private sector institutions and active civil society organizations, he pointed out.

In the field of family protection, His Excellency said that the strategy aims to provide the necessary ingredients for family care, which this is achieved through the development of all policies related to the family and children by 2022 and raising the level of achievement in economic and social empowerment projects and family cohesion projects.

He added that the State seeks to raise the level of achievement in prevention and protection against violence and to achieve these goals several projects have been established to develop a national strategy to enhance family cohesion and develop indicators for measuring family cohesion, child welfare, and orphan care.

Concerning the field of caring for persons with disabilities, HE Al Kuwari said that the State of Qatar is one of the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008, and it is thus considered a pioneer in the field of protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, their full integration into society, and their involvement in the development process. He pointed to the inclusion of this matter in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the national strategy for public and mental health.

His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar's interest in persons with disabilities is represented in providing care for them in various aspects, including educational care, comprehensive health care, work, affordable housing, public and private facilities, and organizing cultural and sports activities. He explained that this care starts from diagnosing disability and its degree, through due medical, educational and social care, to developing the capabilities of persons with disabilities and unleashing their energies, helping them to the degree of self-reliance and success in the educational and academic path, and providing appropriate employment opportunities for them.

Also, HE Al Kuwari pointed out the role of the State of Qatar in the field of education for persons with disabilities by supporting schools, involving all relevant institutions to supply schools with medical and educational supplies, and establishing specialized educational centers, to enable them to live independently and to have equal opportunities in education, work, and independent living, in addition to making the most of technology, as assistive technology in education and skills acquisition has become a feature of development in this era.

He pointed to the interest of the State of Qatar in providing the necessary care in the field of sports for persons with disabilities, to unleash their athletic capabilities, and this role was reflected in the distinguished results achieved by persons with disabilities in international sports forums.

Within the framework of the State of Qatar's keenness to contribute to the international efforts to advance social development in all its fields at the global level, His Excellency pointed, at the conclusion of his statement, to the Doha Declaration issued by the Doha International Conference on Disability and Development held in December 2019, which aimed at supporting international efforts aimed at linking the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the one hand, and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, on the other hand, to develop social policies capable of achieving inclusive equality in society that is formulated in various governmental, private, civil sectors.