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Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi (pictured) affirmed that Qatar National Day (QND) is an occasion that embodies the meanings of loyalty and belonging, and reinforces the values of unity and cohesion that have characterised Qatari society throughout its history.It is also an occasion to celebrate the nation’s achievements across various fields. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Her Excellency said that the day provides an opportunity to strengthen Qatari identity and consolidate the values of citizenship and social responsibility, particularly under this year’s slogan ‘With You It Rises, From You It Awaits’ which reflects the central role of people in the country’s progress and emphasises the importance of collective efforts in building a cohesive society. She noted that the Qatari family serves as the primary nurturing environment where children are raised with love and loyalty to the homeland, making it a fundamental pillar of comprehensive development.Her Excellency highlighted that the Ministry of Social Development and Family follows a clear vision that places the family at the centre of social development, working to empower families, enhance their stability, and support their educational and social roles. She further explained that this approach aligns with the ministry’s 2025-2030 Strategy (From Care to Empowerment), which aims to invest in human capital, develop programmes that strengthen family cohesion, expand social protection coverage, and empower priority groups to ensure a balanced and stable society. Her Excellency stressed that the family would remain the cornerstone of societal stability and the foundation of national progress, affirming the ministry’s continued commitment to implementing social and economic empowerment plans.

Microsoft Co-Founder and Chair of the Gates Foundation, Bill Gates emphasized that the strategic partnership between his foundation and the State of Qatar has greatly contributed to supporting programs in health, social development, and global poverty reduction. In his speech at the opening of the Doha Forum Saturday, he stated that Qatar is one of the world's foremost supporters of social development programs, including health and poverty alleviation. He revealed the launch of a new partnership between the Gates Foundation and the Qatar Development Fund aimed at enhancing economic empowerment, particularly supporting farmers, alongside initiatives in education and health. He highlighted Qatar's pivotal role in supporting international efforts to provide vaccines, including its support for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, describing this role as an investment reflecting a genuine commitment to the world's most vulnerable populations. Thanks to Qatar's humanitarian efforts, His Excellency noted, the country not only helps resolve conflicts worldwide but also provides resources that benefit humanity. He explained that joint efforts between institutions and donor countries, including Qatar, have helped reduce child mortality from 10 million to about 5 million annually, the fastest improvement rate in human history. He noted that last year, 4.6 million children died, compared with 4.8 million this year, but despite this decline, the numbers remain high, requiring continuous monitoring of gains and innovation in health systems. He stated that building an effective health system in poor countries requires no more than USD 100 per person per year, which could prevent 95 percent of deaths from treatable or preventable diseases. He warned that progress remains fragile, as over 100 million people live in conflict zones, complicating access to healthcare services. He revealed that modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, will provide humanity with a historic opportunity to achieve exceptional health milestones, such as developing vaccines against HIV/AIDS and malaria, eradicating polio as humanity's second disease to eliminate, and creating AI-based tools to improve healthcare delivery and connect patients in deprived countries with doctors remotely in multiple languages. He disclosed that his foundation is developing AI models capable of understanding various world languages and dialects, including those in Africa and Asia, enabling people to consult doctors and specialists remotely in their native languages. He stressed that hope lies in ensuring that the poor benefit from the AI revolution from the outset, instead of repeating past scenarios where developing countries lag decades behind in innovation. He expressed confidence that continued international support will enable the world to reduce child mortality to below 2 percent globally and make significant progress in combating poverty and deadly diseases.He concluded that saving the lives of millions of children worldwide is the most important ethical issue of our time, calling for collective efforts among governments, institutions, and communities to achieve historic progress and reach the desired goals.  

Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council has launched the Qatar Social Sciences RDI Community, a flagship initiative that brings together researchers, innovators, and policymakers working in the filed of social sciences and humanities. As part of QRDI Council’s National RDI Communities programme, this community aims to foster collaboration, bridge sectors, and generate evidence-based solutions to Qatar’s most pressing societal challenges. Launched as a pre-event to World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE 12), the community also sets the stage for deeper conversations on the role of research, innovation, and development in shaping the future of education and society. The Qatar Social Sciences RDI Community was launched at a dedicated event that brought together more than 350 attendees, including high-level government officials, academic leaders, industry experts, and representatives of civil society. Opening remarks were delivered by Omar Ali al-Ansari, Secretary General of the QRDI Council. The programme also featured welcoming remarks with Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed al-Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education, who emphasised the need for social sciences to play a more prominent role in shaping policies and national development strategies. The launch event included a keynote address, interactive roundtables, and a panel discussion exploring how research, innovation, and policy can align to drive social progress. Senior representatives from QRDI Council, academia, and government engaged in dialogue on advancing equitable education, mental well-being, inclusive governance, and social cohesion through interdisciplinary collaboration. This community is anchored in the Third National Development Strategy, which identifies the social sciences as a foundational pillar of Qatar’s innovation ecosystem. By bridging gaps between research, policy, and innovation, the community will serve as a trusted space for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the co-creation of evidence-informed solutions. Al-Ansari highlighted: “This community is built on a central and simple idea: Innovation must serve people, and that society guides and determines the course of innovation. Through this Community, we are empowering researchers, government entities and industry partners to come together, share perspectives, and shape solutions that contribute to a more inclusive, knowledge and innovation-based economy.” The key objectives of the Qatar Social Sciences RDI Community are to connect diverse stakeholders to build a shared understanding of Qatar’s most pressing social issues, generate evidence-informed recommendations that can influence policymaking, elevate the role of social sciences within the national development agenda and translate academic research into real-world impact through practical applications and cross-sector collaboration.

Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre (Aman), member of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, concluded a series of awareness workshops held at Qur'an memorisation centres for women and girls, in co-operation with the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs.In this context, Acting Executive Director of Aman Centre, Fadl al-Kaabi emphasised that the main objective of these workshops, in co-operation with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, represented by the Qur'an memorisation centres, is to enhance women's sense of security and highlight their role in the stability of the family and society. The workshops also aimed to equip participants with new skills and mechanisms for dealing with challenges and problems they may face, and to familiarise them with the centre's role and the key services it provides to protect them.Al-Kaabi noted that the awareness workshops targeted women and girls, focusing on raising awareness and educating the community about social protection issues, thus contributing to building strong and cohesive families. He explained that the number of beneficiaries of these workshops exceeded 900.He pointed out that these efforts come in fulfilment of the vision and mission of Aman Centre to provide social protection, strengthen family cohesion, and reduce violence in all its forms.For her part, Director of the Community Awareness Department at Aman Centre, Bakhita al-Ghayathin explained that the implementation of the "Aman" awareness workshops aimed to highlight several topics related to social protection, family safety, and protection from cyber extortion, in addition to raising awareness about bullying and its psychological effects.In contrast, Director of the Communication and Media Office at Aman Centre, Hanan al-Ali emphasised the importance of expanding co-operation with the largest possible number of partners in the country to serve the targeted groups of women, children, and victims of family breakdown and violence, stressing that awareness represents the first line of defense in achieving safety.Al-Ali added that activating community partnership with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs contributes to raising community awareness and strengthening family cohesion, thus creating a safe and stable environment.  

The State of Qatar participated Thursday in a high-level briefing on Wage Protection Systems (WPS) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, convened on the margins of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body meetings in Geneva.His Excellency Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri represented the State of Qatar at the session. The session, organized by the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in the GCC States, and supported by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar and the Permanent Mission of the GCC in Geneva, showcased the outcomes of a joint study undertaken with the ILO on the evolution of WPS across the region.The meeting underscored the collective determination of GCC countries to continue strengthening labour market governance, promote fair working conditions, and advance the objectives of the Global Coalition for Social Justice, in line with broader commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals.In his address, His Excellency Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri described the joint study as a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between the GCC and the ILO. He noted that the findings reflect a shared resolve to uphold social justice, reinforce workers' rights, and entrench the principles of decent work across the region.HE the Minister highlighted that the GCC's experience in wage protection has matured into a recognized regional and international model. He emphasized that the transition from traditional regulations to integrated digital platforms has enhanced transparency, strengthened compliance, and ensured timely payment of wages - contributing to greater trust between employers and workers, and supporting long-term labour market stability.He added that this progress is anchored in a clear political commitment from GCC governments to balance robust worker protection with the growth and continuity of private-sector enterprises, through a framework grounded in transparency, accountability, and constructive engagement with international partners.His Excellency the Minister of Labour reaffirmed that wage protection remains a central pillar of Qatar's labour market reforms. He noted that the country has implemented a comprehensive suite of mechanisms - including the electronic WPS, streamlined dispute-resolution pathways, and the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund - all contributing to the broader agenda of social justice and to the objectives of the Global Coalition.

The "National Development Forum: Social Development Pillar," organised by the National Planning Council (NPC) under the theme "Sustaining Prosperity in Qatari Society," discussed key priorities in social development, including strengthening family cohesion, safeguarding cultural identity, promoting social integration, enhancing quality of life, and advancing cultural and social tourism as contributors to national progress.The panel featured Her Excellency Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr al-Nuaimi, His Excellency Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, His Excellency Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim al Mahmoud, and His Excellency Chairman of Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali al-Kharji.The session stressed that progress under the Third National Development Strategy is reflected not only in economic indicators but also in the resilience of Qatar’s social fabric. Speakers highlighted expanding family support, improving health and wellbeing, and strengthening cultural participation. His Excellency Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al-Khalifa reaffirmed that Qatar National Vision 2030 places the family at the heart of sustainable development.

Qatar Charity (QC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Gambia’s Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare to strengthen co-operation in social protection, economic empowerment, and improving the quality of life for vulnerable groups. **media[382657]** The signing ceremony was attended by Fatou Sanyang Kinteh, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare of Gambia; His Excellency Abdullah Jassim al-Kuwari, acting Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of Qatar in Gambia; and Mustafa Essatte, director of QC’s office in Gambia, alongside senior officials and civil society representatives. The MoU was signed by Ilo Jallow, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, and Mustafa Essatte, director of QC’s office in Gambia. **media[382658]** Speaking at the event, Kinteh stressed the importance of this partnership, saying, “This co-operation represents a pivotal step in achieving the ministry’s goals of strengthening social protection for vulnerable groups, empowering women economically and socially, improving care services for children and the elderly, and supporting social inclusion programmes to raise living standards in rural communities. **media[382659]** “We believe that working hand-in-hand with QC will deliver a tangible and sustainable impact on the ground,” the Minister said, thanking the Embassy of Qatar, QC, and the people of Qatar for their continued support. **media[382660]** Al-Kuwari lauded the initiative, noting its role in advancing social development and economic empowerment in Gambia. Essatte said the MoU reflects a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, empowering women, and improving living standards. He stressed the importance of joint efforts for sustainable impact and thanked the Minister, the Qatari envoy, and the people of Qatar for their continued support. **media[382661]** The ceremony also marked the distribution of essential aid, including 200 kitchen sets, 320 solar-powered lamps, 69 blood pressure monitors, 19 sewing machines, 14 vegetable stalls, and four electric wheelchairs for persons with disabilities. Over the past three months, QC’s office in Gambia completed 28 solar-powered wells in 28 villages, benefiting about 8,400 people. The office also launched six sheep-farming projects and five poultry projects, distributed 62 sewing machines, set up 26 fruit and vegetable stalls, and provided three motorbikes, supporting 102 low-income families. Social and educational efforts included distributing 90 blood sugar monitors, 11 school bag and uniform provision projects, 15 bicycles for orphans, building a home for a mother of orphaned children, and constructing a mosque covering 80 sqm.

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad held a virtual meeting Wednesday with members of the Palestinian government operations room, chaired by Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of Relief Affairs of the State of Palestine.The talks reviewed bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Palestine and addressed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.Discussions focused on easing the humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza, enhancing partnerships in development and knowledge exchange, and coordinating the entry and distribution of aid, particularly ahead of the winter season.The meeting was part of Qatar's ongoing efforts to ensure the effective and sustainable delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Representatives from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and around 48 humanitarian organizations and officials took part in the discussions.Meanwhile, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said that Palestinians in Gaza continue to face tremendous hardship, including dire living conditions and insufficient aid one month after the fragile ceasefire went into effect, pointing out that Palestinians are still being killed and injured by Israeli forces almost every day in the areas close to the yellow line, behind which Israel maintains control.In a statement issued in Geneva, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza Caroline Seguin said, " Palestinians often risk their lives by going back to look for their houses, as this line is still not always clearly marked. To make matters worse, some main hospitals are in areas controlled by Israeli forces, which means safe access to health care is reduced. The Israeli authorities continue to impose significant restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza. MSF and other organizations are struggling to bring vital aid into Gaza, especially medical equipment, shelters, hygiene items, and spare parts for vital infrastructure," she added.Seguin also noted that thousands of displaced people are living in tents lacking water and electricity, surrounded by accumulated waste and outbreaks of skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases, as winter approaches.The organization called for the immediate and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Al Jasra Cultural and Social Club organised a lecture titled “Our Ethics and Life: Values in a Time of Transformations,” presented by Dr Kamal Aslan, a visiting professor at Qatar University who holds a PhD in Ethics with honours and has contributed to numerous research projects for the Al Jazeera Center for Studies.The lecture was moderated by writer Hanan Badie, who welcomed Dr Aslan and the attendees, emphasising the importance of ethics in building a sustainable society and providing individuals with a sense of security and the ability to face challenges.During the lecture, Dr Aslan raised several fundamental questions about the need for values and ethics, the impact of their absence on society, the causes of the current ethical crisis, and the means of instilling values and building sound behaviour.He pointed out that rapid transformations in various fields necessitate ethical awareness and the ability to adapt without compromising core values, warning against succumbing to a utilitarian ethics that justifies any means, regardless of their violation of religion, customs, and traditions.He explained that the absence of ethics has had repercussions on multiple levels, including the economic sphere with its prevalence of fraud, exploitation, and monopolies. As well as the social sphere with its disintegration of families and deviance; the political sphere with its corruption and hypocrisy; the intellectual sphere with its theft of other peoples' efforts and the dissemination of corrupt ideologies; and the media sphere with its misinformation and deception.This is compounded by deficiencies in the educational system, which has failed to instill values in schools and colleges. He added that knowledge alone is insufficient; it must be translated into practical behaviour.

The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the UN in New York hosted a high-level dinner discussion for women leaders participating in the Second World Summit for Social Development, on women’s leadership and digital innovation for sustainable development. The event was held at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha in honour of President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, and Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Amina Mohammed.The dinner was attended by Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi; Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous, as well as a number of heads of delegations and women leaders participating in the Summit.In her remarks, Her Excellency al-Misnad affirmed Qatar’s steadfast commitment to strengthening multilateral co-operation aimed at closing the digital divide and ensuring that the benefits of innovation are accessible to all. She stressed the importance of making technology serve humanity and measuring its success by how it benefits the most vulnerable groups, such as children, women, and persons with disabilities, particularly in conflict-affected areas. She also called on women leaders to work toward implementing and designing policies that contribute to building an inclusive digital future for all.For her part, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi said that Qatar’s approach to social development is centred on a human-focused vision that integrates innovation into policy design and data-driven decision-making. She noted that technology, when guided by ethical and inclusive values, can serve as a powerful tool to enhance human well-being.Her Excellency Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, who moderated the discussion during the dinner, emphasised that the event provided an opportunity to celebrate women’s leadership and its role in shaping a more inclusive digital future.It also served as a platform for reflecting on how innovation can support the implementation of the Doha Political Declaration on Social Development and advance the broader goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Annalena Baerbock highlighted the United Nations’ continued commitment to supporting women’s leadership and ensuring that digital transformation becomes a driving force for inclusion, equality, and sustainable development for all. She added that strengthening women’s leadership in the digital sphere enhances the effectiveness of development solutions in addressing global challenges.Amina Mohammed commended Qatar’s role in advancing sustainable social development and promoting international co-operation toward a more just and inclusive future.She also praised Qatar’s initiatives to empower women and foster innovation as a means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.Similarly, Sima Bahous praised the Second World Summit for Social Development for providing a platform to reflect on how to place women at the heart of policies and strategies that leverage digital innovation, particularly artificial intelligence, to promote inclusive and sustainable development and help shape a fairer and more equitable future, in line with the goals set forth in the Doha Political Declaration on Social Development.

Hosted by Qatar from November 4 to 6, the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) concluded Thursday with wide international praise for its outcomes and results in terms of advancing social development globally and linking it to sustainable development.At the closing session, the summit reiterated its welcome of the Doha Political Declaration, which was adopted by the conference. The declaration emphasized the inter-connectedness of eradicating poverty, providing decent work opportunities for all, and achieving social inclusion as essential elements for attaining sustainable development.It also provided significant impetus to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.In her address at the Summit's closing session, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock stated that the Doha Summit marks a new beginning for advancing social development globally and achieving many goals related to improving education, healthcare services, communications, and other vital areas that serve societies.She noted that the Doha Political Declaration and its provisions, adopted by the summit, form the basis for building more just, secure, and resilient societies, 30 years after the first summit.She further said that the Second World Summit in Doha marked a turning point, as it moved from diagnosing problems to taking practical steps to solve them, thanks to multilateral efforts involving governmental and international organisations, civil society organisations, and the private sector.The time has come more than ever to capitalize on the great momentum generated by the Doha Summit after listening to and learning about the views of heads of state, heads of government, and all parties concerned with social development, she stressed, noting that the focus should now be on transforming the ideas and proposals presented into tangible innovations, actions, and initiatives by considering how to invest in the financial commitments related to the Sustainable Development Goals.The President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly commended Qatar for its outstanding organisation of the summit and its significant role in the success of this important global event.She also reiterated that sustainable development cannot be achieved without a just and lasting peace, as conflicts not only claim lives but also set back decades of social progress.Following the closing session of the conference, the UN flag was lowered at the Qatar National Convention Centre, officially marking the conclusion of the Second World Summit for Social Development.The summit saw the participation of approximately 8,000 representatives from member states, including heads of state and government, ministers, representatives from the UN, civil society, academia, the private sector, and youth. They all reaffirmed the importance of social development and the well-being of societies and presented practical solutions and proposals for achieving sustainable development through its social dimension.

The Second World Summit for Social Development opened its second day on Wednesday with a plenary session focused on the main global challenges and opportunities related to social development.During the session, participants emphasised the importance of strengthening international solidarity and placing humans at the centre of social policies to achieve sustainable well-being among communities.They called for enhanced co-operation between countries and international institutions to develop comprehensive social policies, with a focus on investing in youth, women, and vulnerable groups to ensure sustainable social development and promote equality and justice.In this context, Minister of Family and Social Services of Turkiye Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas said that development is not measured solely by economic growth indicators, but also by social cohesion, citizens’ quality of life, and human dignity.She added that Turkiye is working to achieve a balance between work, education, health, and social life, ensuring women’s empowerment, protecting children, promoting active and healthy lives for youth and the elderly, and transforming social assistance from temporary support into a sustainable environment that encourages citizens’ active participation in social development.Meanwhile, Minister of Social Development of Oman Dr Laila bint Ahmed al-Najjar emphasised that true development begins and ends with humans, and that justice and equality are fundamental pillars for building a modern state.She explained that Oman follows a comprehensive social strategy that includes combating poverty, promoting social integration, and distributing social benefits fairly, with a focus on supporting families, improving the professional environment for persons with disabilities and the elderly, and using data-driven assessments to enhance social policies.In turn, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Sanni Grahn-Laasonen stressed her country’s full support for UN reform and its commitment to human rights and gender equality, with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and rights.She noted that Finland is a leader in social innovation, and that its investments in parental care, free education, school meals, and public childcare have contributed to improving quality of life and empowering women to participate in the labour market. She also emphasised the importance of youth and ensuring the rights of future generations to a dignified life and a sustainable future.