Qatar Organizes Exhibition to Mark World Autism Awareness Day
New York / Information Office / April 06
On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the Permanent Delegation of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, along with the delegations of Bangladesh, the State of Kuwait, India and South Korea, organized an autism awareness exhibition today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Abdulrahman Yacoub Al Hammadi, Acting Charge d'affaires of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, stressed the role played by the State of Qatar in launching a global awareness campaign on autism, which culminated in the decision of the General Assembly to consider April 2 as a global day each year to raise awareness of autism. He also stressed that the State of Qatar will spare no effort to support the increase of awareness of autism. He expressed the hope that the exhibition would provide an opportunity to the world experience from the perspective of people with autism.
Ambassador Masood bin Momen, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations, said that the exhibition is not only aimed at raising awareness of autism but also calls upon Member States, NGOs and civil society organizations to develop a plan of action to rehabilitate individuals with autism to integrate them into society and to contribute to the national project to build their countries.
, President and Executive Director of Autism Speaks Angela Geiger underscored the importance of addressing the needs of people with autism, saying it was essential to reach the goals of sustainable development. She also drew attention to the increased awareness of autism in recent years, which is an important step in overcoming barriers to education and opportunities for integration and employment.
"This year's celebration of World Autism Day is taking place with great local and international attention because of the growing number of people living with this disease," said Ms. Alaa Abu Alvin, Executive Director of Best Paddy's Initiative at Shafallah Center for People with Disabilities. She added that the National Plan for Autism is based on the Qatar National Vision 2030 to ensure the continued existence of the people of Qatar for a generation after generation, and to achieve the desired goals for all segments of society, including people with disabilities, and those with autism.
The celebration of World Autism Awareness Day comes at the proposal of the State of Qatar to make April 2 each a global day for autism awareness, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.
The exhibition was attended by a number of countries, NGOs and civil society organizations. The opening was also attended by a number of permanent representatives of Member States to the United Nations and representatives of civil society organizations.