As Qatar marked the second edition of the ‘National Development Forum: Social Development Pillar’, one message emerges with clarity that the country is no longer planning its future rather it is actively building it.
The Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) is often framed as a roadmap toward the long-term ambitions of Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030). But what is unfolding suggests something deeper that a societal transformation rooted in the conviction and the development is not only about infrastructure, economic diversification, or global competitiveness but it is fundamentally about people.
What distinguishes this year’s forum, held under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, is the explicit recognition that social development must stand at the centre of national progress.
Nearly two decades after QNV 2030 was launched, the principle at its heart is the centrality of the family which is no longer an aspiration but a framework guiding policy, legislation, and institutional coordination.
From the wide-ranging remarks of Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz Al Khalifa to the ministerial panel that followed, the narrative was consistent that Qatar aims to build a society that is cohesive, healthy, culturally confident, and actively engaged.
The new law on the rights of persons with disabilities, the expansion of Ehsan’s services for the elderly, the launch of a national volunteer platform, support for productive families, and targeted cultural programs for youth all point toward a country investing heavily in its social fabric.
Healthcare indicators tell a similar story. Qatar ranks first in the Arab world and 18th globally, life expectancy surpasses 82 years, hospital capacity exceeds 5,000 beds, and more than 57,000 healthcare practitioners serve the population. But more important than the statistics is the underlying philosophy that health is not only about treatment; it is about quality of life, prevention, and well-being.
Yesterday, Qatar’s Ministry of Social Development and Family also launched an initiative aimed at strengthening ethical values within Qatari families and promoting value-based upbringing.
The initiative, coinciding with the celebration of World Children’s Day, was unveiled by Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador Layan Al Hajri.
The endeavour seeks to support families in instilling core values such as honesty, respect, cooperation and diligence through educational activities and community partnerships.
