Qatar Launches Doha Declaration for Disability Rights

Author: Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW)
Published: 2019/12/08 - Updated: 2026/01/22
Publication Type: Announcement
Category Topic: Middle East and UAE - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This announcement details a landmark policy initiative launched by the Qatar Foundation for Social Work during the Doha International Conference on Disability and Development, which drew over 1,500 policymakers and practitioners from around the world. The Doha Declaration serves as an action-oriented framework designed to help governments worldwide integrate disability rights into their national development plans across education, health, employment, and accessibility sectors. The declaration addresses the needs of 1.5 billion people with disabilities globally and provides concrete recommendations for eliminating structural barriers, promoting inclusive education, improving healthcare beyond medical models, and ensuring meaningful participation of disabled individuals in policy development. People with disabilities, their families, and advocates will find this resource valuable because it outlines specific, measurable steps that nations can take to align with both the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals, offering a practical roadmap for creating more accessible communities and enforcing anti-discrimination protections - Disabled World (DW).

Definition: The Doha Declaration: The Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, adopted by the World Trade Organization in 2001, clarified that international patent rules shouldn't prevent countries from protecting public health. Born from the AIDS crisis when developing nations struggled to afford patented antiretroviral drugs, the declaration affirmed that WTO members have the right to use flexibilities in patent law - like compulsory licensing and parallel importation - to ensure access to medicines during health emergencies. It essentially settled a contentious debate by stating what should have been obvious: that trade agreements on intellectual property must be interpreted in ways that prioritize people's health over pharmaceutical profits, particularly for countries facing epidemics and lacking manufacturing capacity.

Introduction

Qatar launches a global declaration to promote the rights of more than 1.5 billion people with disabilities worldwide.

Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) launched the "Doha Declaration" at the closing ceremony of the Doha International Conference on Disability and Development (DICDD) yesterday. The two-day conference, which has attracted more than 1,500 policymakers and practitioners, took place at the Qatar National Convention Center under the theme: "Leaving No One Behind".

The Doha Declaration on disability and development sets out an action-oriented approach that Qatar hopes will be an international reference point for world governments to integrate the rights of persons with disabilities into their national development plans. The aim is to ensure the needs of persons with disabilities are included in policies related to education, health, employment, and other relevant areas.

Main Content

The Doha Declaration States the Following:

We, the conferees of the Doha International Conference on Disability and Development 7-8 December 2019 held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Moza bint Nasser, came together in the spirit of the UN Charter to advance peace, justice and human rights for all and especially for the 1.5 billion persons with disabilities in the world.

Whereas, we are painfully aware that the legacy of the past has left many persons with disabilities behind. That legacy of invisibility, exclusion, segregation, discriminatory policies and law is an affront to the human conscience.

Whereas, we call for a rethinking the disability concepts at all levels, stepping out from the cultural barriers, stigmas and medical approaches towards CRDP definitions ensuring empowerment, comprehensive social wellbeing, belonging, inclusiveness, equality and dignity for all;

Whereas, we acknowledge that humanity now has at its disposal two powerful instruments reflecting the values of change and each, in their own way, driving that process of change. Whereas, we acknowledge legal obligations arising from the UN CRPD and view the UN SDGs as key guiding principles in development, complementary action as between the two can help create a more inclusive future for all persons with disabilities. Whereas, we stress on the interoperability and interdependence of the two global instruments; SDGs and UNCRPD, where leaving no one behind cannot be achieved without mainstreaming the rights-based approach embedded in the UNCRPD as human rights and development cannot be divided.

The Participants Concluded in the Following Recommendations:

Combat structural barriers causing the exclusion of persons with disabilities, with a noteworthy emphasis on discriminatory laws and policies, fragmentation of services, lack of accessibility to physical and visual environments, lack of access to assistive technology and to rehabilitation and lack of measures to promote independent living of persons with disabilities.
Establish large scale awareness raising campaigns promoting disability rights, using the voice of persons with disabilities as a key driver to nudge the community, reducing discrimination, negative attitudes and stigma which hinders the social participation of persons with disabilities and to ensure that SDGs strategies at the national levels consciously take into account the need for cultural transformation.
Mainstream disability in the implementation of all SDGs, including the development of national strategies, policies and action plans are nationally addressed and aligned with the UNCRPD commitments.
Promote full and active participation and representation of all persons with disabilities in societies and in all policies and programs. All duty-bearers must prioritize the representation of all persons with disabilities as leaders, active citizens and active agents of change in the community, country, and international level, thus reaffirming the principle of 'Nothing About Us Without Us'. Encourage governments, civil society and others to innovate with new methods of co-production of policies.
Ensure that persons with disabilities are not excluded from the education system by promoting an inclusive education system, including disability-friendly environment and facilities as well as assistive technologies.
Emphasize a comprehensive approach to disability in health policymaking, going beyond the medical approach and narrative to the overall wellbeing of persons with disabilities. Promote reproductive rights and accessibility to reproductive health services to persons with disabilities ensuring that they have the same needs, securing their full potential and recognizing their rights.
Acknowledge the role of families in the wellbeing of persons with disabilities and empower family members, emphasizing UNCRPD commitment on providing persons with disabilities and their family members the necessary protection and support to enable families to contribute towards the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Invest in monitoring and evaluation of progress towards SDGs for persons with disabilities. Reliable and comparable and high-quality research is needed to better understand the lived experience of persons with disabilities and the nature of the challenges they face.
Strengthen the means of implementation and monitoring of the SDGs for persons with disabilities.
Welcome and encourage the active participation of the private sector as a key partner in realizing the UNCRPD and SDGs.
Prioritize accessibility to address and eliminate barriers in the physical, digital and social environment of the cities, to match the requirements of persons with disabilities.

The two-day conference, which attracted more than 1,500 policymakers and practitioners, took place at the Qatar National Convention Center under the theme: Leaving No One Behind.

Ms. Amal Abdullatif Al-Mannai, CEO of QFSW, commented on the conference and the Doha Declaration, saying:

"The aim of the conference and the Doha Declaration is to leave a long-lasting imprint on international efforts to improve the rights of persons with disabilities. The launch of the Doha Declaration underscores Qatar's commitment to promoting policies that will ensure persons with disabilities are provided with opportunities for involvement, engagement and contribution in their communities."

She also expressed hope that the outcomes of the conference will support the efforts of the United Nations and be a catalyst for change towards the adoption of policies that promote the rights of persons with disabilities.

"We hope the Doha Declaration will serve as a roadmap for governments, showing that change through a combination of human rights and sustainable development goals is both desirable and achievable," she added.

The conference highlighted the main issues and challenges facing persons with disabilities. The Doha Declaration was the culmination of two days of discussions on how the UN Sustainable Development Agenda can be fully integrated with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Qatar has a long-standing commitment towards protecting the rights of people with disabilities. In 2006, Qatar supported the UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, before signing it in 2008. Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Founder of QFSW, also initiated Al Noor Center in 1998 and the Shafallah Center in 1999, establishing the Qatar Social Work Foundation as a civil society organization under which Al Noor and the Shafallah operate.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The Doha Declaration represents a critical shift in how nations approach disability policy, moving beyond theoretical commitments to actionable frameworks that demand accountability. By linking the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to the Sustainable Development Goals, Qatar has created a blueprint that acknowledges what advocates have long argued: you cannot achieve sustainable development while leaving 15% of the world's population behind. The declaration's emphasis on "Nothing About Us Without Us" and its call for persons with disabilities to serve as leaders and agents of change reflects a maturation in global disability discourse. Whether this declaration becomes a transformative document or another well-intentioned resolution will depend entirely on whether signatory nations commit resources, enact legislative reforms, and genuinely include disabled voices in implementation. The real test lies not in the words written in Doha, but in the policies rewritten in capitals around the world - Disabled World (DW).

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) and published on 2019/12/08, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.