QNA
Doha
Minister of Social Development and Family HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad has described the adoption of the GCC Social Development Strategy (2021-2025) as a big step and a broad leap within the joint efforts to achieve comprehensive social development for the peoples of the region and to implement the innovative initiatives.
The minister was speaking at the 10th meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Social Affairs and Development of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in Doha on Wednesday in the presence of the GCC ministers and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
She said the meeting is of great importance as it carries the aspirations and hopes of the GCC peoples for social development in accordance with a comprehensive vision for a Gulf society united behind its identity and its sustainable moral and value-based legacy.
Stressing the importance of considering the issue of adopting policies that support the cohesion and stability of the Gulf society and enhance the spirit of citizenship and Arab and Islamic identity as well as cooperation between Gulf people, she said that the family was and still is the true wealth of the nations, pointing to the identity and the uniqueness of our Gulf, Arab and Islamic history, which is rich in the ethics of human advancement, tolerance and integration.
"Today, Gulf countries and societies are united in facing the dangers of diluting national identities, including the identity of the family,” she noted.
Highlighting the great importance attached by Qatar to supporting pioneering community projects within social protection policies, including empowering productive families and enhancing community awareness of the concepts of family cohesion and building families based on Islam, justice and benevolence, the minister stressed that Qatar will continue to support these social development projects at the national, regional and international levels.
"Qatar welcomes the recommendations concerned with building development partnerships between various sectors in which social and technical innovation is employed to advance the societies of the GCC countries.”
Misnad pointed out that Qatar supports Gulf people and stands together with them to achieve more cooperation, in addition to implementing the committee’s decision taken at the previous meeting on the joint Gulf action strategy for women’s affairs in the GCC countries (2024-2030) and following up on what has been achieved to enhance the role of motherhood in society and achieve harmony between the roles of men and women and enhance the concept of partnership and integration of roles between men and women within the family and marriage to strengthen the bonds and ties within the system of the Gulf families.
She affirmed Qatar’s determination to continue its efforts to complete the implementation of social development strategies and plans in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
She pointed out that Qatar will host the 7th Gulf Theatre Festival for Persons with Disabilities from November 27 to December 3, 2024, where the Ministry of Social Development and Family will host the festival participants and provide all the requirements to ensure the proper organization of the festival and the success of its activities.
She appreciated the efforts of Oman during its presidency of the ministerial meetings during the past year, which was an example to be followed in enhancing cooperation and integration between the GCC countries, while looking forward to continuing to work with the same spirit to achieve the goals.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Ministry of Social Development and Family signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs to enhance their relations and achieve mutual goals regarding social affairs.
The Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs to promote cooperation in the development, support and encouragement of charitable and humanitarian work, as well as regulating and supervising these activities in both
countries.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family also signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
This agreement aims to enhance constructive cooperation in social development areas, particularly in family affairs and social services.