Qatar Highlights Disability Rights Progress in UN Dialogue

GENEVA, August 12, 2026 — Qatar has presented its progress on disability rights during an interactive dialogue with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, reaffirming its commitment to equality, accessibility and the full participation of persons with disabilities in society.

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad took part in the two-day session in Geneva on August 12 and 13. The dialogue examined Qatar’s combined second, third and fourth periodic reports, submitted under Article 35 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The national delegation brought together representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Public Health, Education and Higher Education, Social Development and Family, and Labour. Officials from the Supreme Judiciary Council also participated, alongside a representative of persons with disabilities.

The broad composition of the delegation reflected the cross-government nature of Qatar’s work to implement the convention and the importance of including people with lived experience in the review process.

From care to rights and empowerment

During the dialogue, Al Misnad described the review as an opportunity for assessment, learning and the exchange of experience. She said Qatar would examine the progress made within its national system while considering the committee’s observations and recommendations to further develop policies, legislation and practices.

She said Qatar’s approach has evolved from care to rights, from delivering services to removing barriers, and from protection to empowerment. Persons with disabilities, she stressed, should not be viewed only as beneficiaries but as active partners in society and development.

The discussions addressed legislative and institutional developments as well as policies and programmes covering equality and non-discrimination, accessibility, inclusive education, healthcare, employment, social protection and participation in public life.

New law strengthens legal protections

Among the key developments highlighted was Law No. 22 of 2025 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The legislation enshrines equality and non-discrimination, treats the denial of reasonable accommodation as discrimination, and guarantees rights in areas including accessibility, inclusive education, health, rehabilitation, employment, housing and social protection.

Al Misnad also pointed to national policy frameworks supporting these goals, including the Ministry of Social Development and Family’s National Strategy 2025–2030 and the Third National Health Strategy 2024–2030.

Qatar expands international role

Qatar’s international contributions include support for initiatives concerning autism and deafblindness. The country sponsored and supported the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on June 16, 2025, establishing June 27 as the International Day of Deafblindness, and took part in launching the Global Autism Alliance.

Qatar is also preparing to host the Fourth Global Disability Summit in Doha in 2028, an event intended to strengthen international cooperation and advance more inclusive societies.

The Geneva review forms part of the UN treaty-monitoring process and allows the committee to assess how states are applying the convention, identify areas of progress and issue recommendations for further action.

Source note: Rewritten from a Qatar News Agency report dated August 13, 2026. Facts and official statements are attributed to QNA.