A global alliance founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), Autism Speaks, Unicef, and the Ministry of Social Development and Family, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to unite the world in advancing support for people with autism everywhere is expanding its international reach – and pinpointing a series of flagship initiatives to close crucial gaps in autism diagnosis, policy, investment, technology development, and lifelong support.
The Global Autism Advocacy Coalition (GAAC), launched at a Qatar-led event at the UN General Assembly last September, is the first platform of its kind to bring together the international community to develop a unified worldwide approach to addressing autism.
Following the formation of the coalition, its founding membership has grown with the Education Above All Foundation which works to ensure equal access to quality education and to harness the power of education for positive, sustainable, and inclusive change, including for the most marginalised learners; the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, a Kazakh organisation that supports projects across healthcare, culture, and education; and the Autism Impact Fund (AIF), a first-of-its-kind for-profit venture capital fund whose mission is to revolutionise the status quo for diagnosing, treating, and living with autism.
Since its launch, AIF has become the global investment and innovation arm of the autism and behavioural health community, with 20 portfolio companies and two successful exits.
The coalition’s focus on Qatar is being aligned with national autism priorities through its work with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, while the Ministry of Public Health serves as the member responsible for the health dimension of the coalition’s work in Qatar, including early screening, diagnosis, and clinical services.
WHO and Unicef will draw on their mandates in norm-setting, monitoring, and workforce development, together with their convening and co-ordination functions and broad regional and country-level presence, to provide strategic advice and contribute to the GAAC’s advocacy and implementation efforts.
The GAAC is implementing a regional approach to autism action, with the active engagement of philanthropic organisations through a ‘hub’ model. This will see QF serve as the hub for catalysing autism action in the Middle East and North Africa region, Autism Speaks — which is also the coalition’s secretariat — lead efforts in North America, and the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation pilot this model in the Central Asia & South Caucuses region, reflecting the global expansion and reach of the coalition.
Together, these hubs support regional co-ordination, country-level implementation, and the sharing of expertise to scale effective autism solutions in low- and middle-income countries.
A portfolio of initiatives launched by the GAAC’s members, aimed at addressing pivotal structural gaps in global autism systems, include a global index measuring each country’s progress on autism action; a shared global autism data platform; a laboratory to develop and scale affordable autism technologies; a governance body that ensures people with autism and their families have a central role in shaping autism strategies and decisions; and catalysing an effort to build care systems and the global workforce required to effectively deliver full-lifespan autism services.
The establishment of the GAAC and the realisation of a truly collective international movement focused on autism action will be emphasised once again to a worldwide audience in September when the GAAC and its members participate in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
HE Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi, Minister of Social Development and Family, said: “The remarkable progress of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition reflects our shared belief that lasting change can only be achieved through collaboration.
“Addressing the challenges of autism requires governments, international organisations, philanthropy, researchers, innovators, and people with lived experience to work together. By bringing these partners together, we are creating a platform that can accelerate evidence-based solutions, advance a human rights-based approach to autism inclusion, and strengthen support across the lifespan.”
HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, said: “The State of Qatar is committed to advancing the health, well-being, and inclusion of individuals with autism through strong partnerships at the national, regional, and global levels.
By joining the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition, we reaffirm our belief that meaningful progress is achieved through collective action, shared expertise, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes across the lifespan.”
“We are building a global movement where all members are valued as autism partners and active contributors in shaping future solutions and innovations. By pairing this commitment with platforms and resources that democratise innovation, we aim to lay the foundation for true equity and global impact,” added Dr Hilal Lashuel, research, development, and innovation adviser to the Chairperson’s Office and executive director of Research, Development and Innovation at QF.
