Qatar Reaffirms Commitment to Integrate People with Disabilities into Sustainable Development
New York - Information Office - December 04
The State of Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to work to integrate persons with disabilities into sustainable development, calling for best efforts to support the implementation of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy, in order to provide a basis for tangible progress and transformation through the participation of persons with disabilities in achieving UN's goals with peace, security, human rights and development.
This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani during her participation in an event organized by the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls on December 3 each year. HE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, HE President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly Ambassador Tijani Mohammed Pandey, and a number of Member States' permanent representatives and experts.
Her Excellency Ambassador Sheikha Alya reviewed the actions and policies taken by Qatar to integrate persons with disabilities into society and to promote positive perception and recognition of the importance of their contributions to society. In this context, HE said that the Qatari law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities, and requires that 2 percent of all jobs in government bodies and public institutions are reserved for persons with disabilities, and that private sector businesses employing a minimum of 25 persons were required to hire persons with disabilities.
She stressed the importance of productive work in order to achieve self-esteem, well-being and integration into society, pointing out that this is very important to meet the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The State of Qatar uses ICT widely, explaining that this creates a different world for people with disabilities, promotes greater equality and ensures integration into the society, HE pointed out. The goal is to give people with disabilities access to online services and opportunities, including e-government services, she added.
HE noted the services of Qatar Assistive Technology Center (Mada) provided to people with disabilities, parents and professionals, in terms of the provision of extensive information on assistive technology in both English and Arabic languages, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world
HE the Ambassador referred to the international conference which will take place on December 7-8 under the auspices of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF). The conference will be held under the theme of "Harnessing the Power of Sustainable Development Agenda to Advance the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," she said.
HE also expressed her hope that the conference would result in the Doha Declaration that will help in forming key international reference in the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the 2030 Development Plan.