The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Disability Alliance (IDA).

  The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in the field of supporting and empowering persons with disabilities.

 The signing took place on the margins of the preparatory events for the Global Disability Summit 2028, held at Multaqa (Education City Student Center) of Qatar Foundation, under the theme: from commitments to change: the journey toward Doha.

HE Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi said the signing of the MoU comes as part of the State of Qatar's enduring commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities and enabling their full participation across all spheres of life.

The memorandum intends to support persons with disabilities, hone their skills, and safeguard their dignity and autonomy, in addition to strengthening programs and initiatives that foster their access to employment opportunities, healthcare, and community participation, Al Nuaimi highlighted.

 Al Nuaimi explained that the move aligns with the MSDF's vision of building an inclusive society founded on dynamic national and international partnerships.

She announced that the State of Qatar will host the fourth Global Disability Summit 2028 in Doha, noting that this hosting will build upon the achievements realized through cooperation with regional and global partners.

For his part, President of IDA and President of the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), Dr. Nawaf Kabbara, affirmed that this partnership represents a phenomenal model of international cooperation that can contribute to advancing the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities worldwide.

He commended the leading role assumed by Qatar in this domain, noting that his visits to several institutions concerned with persons with disabilities in Qatar revealed advanced experiences and exemplary practices that reaffirm the nation's steadfast commitment to promoting inclusion and meaningful participation of this group, emphasizing that Qatar has emerged as a regional and global role model.

  He added that the national efforts in Qatar embody dynamic leadership and a genuine desire to ensure that persons with disabilities are partners in development and prosperity, noting that this approach serves as an inspiring model for many countries and international organizations.

Dr. Kabbara, in his capacity as President of AOPD, touted the progress materialized across the Arab region in empowering persons with disabilities, emphasizing that such strides reinforce the prospects for achieving inclusive and sustainable development on both the national and regional stages.

The program of the event, which brought together international and regional officials and experts, featured a series of panel discussions and specialized workshops, most notably a session on global horizons: from Berlin to Amman 2025, a session on innovation in inclusion, and a workshop on the invisible majority: bridging the disability data gap.

 The program also included specialized workshops titled: from disability to participation and integrating children with disabilities, organized in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UNICEF program.