Qatar’s Fourth National Human Development Report

Qatar's Fourth National Human Development Report

Realising Qatar National Vision 2030 The Right to Development

Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics June 2015

First published June 2015 Copyright MDPS. All Rights Reserved.

Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics Doha Towers PO Box 1855 Doha, Qatar

Publication design by Cheng Fan Soon

Cover design by Osama Mohammad Al Manasir

Cover photo by Nasser Abdulla Al Kuwari

The cover shows Doha's modern towers through the traditional arches in the courtyard of the Museum of Islamic Art, blending old and new.

Printed by Al Rayyan Printing Press

The content of this publication may be freely reproduced for non-commercial purposes with attribution to the copyright holders.

Realising QNV 2030 The Right to Development

Foreword

Qatar's fourth National Human Development Report (NHDR) builds on the narratives of the previous three NHDRs. The first, National Human Development Report (2006) reviewed the country's progress with respect to comprehensive human development. The second, Advancing Sustainable Development (2009) focused on the sustainable development challenges of rapid economic development and critical environmental parameters that are essential for national planning. The third, Expanding the Capacities of Qatari Youth, Mainstreaming Young People in Development (2012) focused on the development opportunities and challenges facing Qatar's youth.

This fourth NHDR, Realising Qatar National Vision 2030: The Right to Development, reflects a commitment to deepening the national and international consensus that development entails much more than seeking economic growth. While emphasizing national identity, culture, heritage and Islamic values, national human development must promote, respect and protect the rights of all individuals.

The 1986 United Nations Declaration defines the right to development (RTD) as "...an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised."

The declaration, as well as Qatar's international human rights treaty commitments, provides a framework whereby international experience and lessons learned can assist the country in its efforts to achieve development that balances the social, economic and environmental dimensions.

Development in all its aspects is a right and not simply a meeting of needs. Individuals should be the subject of, and active participants in their own development and that of society as a whole. Equal and non-discriminatory enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms and successful human development are mutually dependent and reinforcing.

Qatar's Permanent Constitution sets the tone for a society-based on the values of justice, benevolence, freedom, equality and high morals and equal opportunities for all citizens. The Constitution establishes social justice as the basis for the organisation of economic enterprises and for employer-employee relations and sets out the state's commitment to improving education, health and effective social protection as well as to empowering women.

Many of the fundamental rights-based principles are embedded in Qatar's legal, institutional and development planning including Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV), the National Development Strategy 2011-2016, and its Midterm Review.

Qatar's fourth NHDR strengthens Qatar's commitment to these fundamental principles. The analysis points to many gains that Qatar has made in human development, particularly for its citizens. It also points to areas where a more focused effort is needed. The continued existence of socio-economic inequalities, domestic violence and relatively low labour force participation rates call for an even more effective interface between the country's people and planners..

Qatar has made significant strides in the area of women's rights and their empowerment, especially in education and health, where the country is a regional leader. But challenges remain in ensuring women's equal access to employment and in their political empowerment.

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For children, youth and older persons, there has also been good progress at the aggregate level, yet scope for further action remains. Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, obesity and smoking have long-term effects on human development, and the report calls for a broad social policy framework that can meet such challenges.

Qatar has put in place legislation, mechanisms and programmes to give effect to the rights of persons with disabilities. Yet opportunities for their full economic participation remain limited--partly because of lack of awareness and partly because many places of work are not conducive for such participation.

Reviewing Qatar's human development indicators under the framework of The Right to Development remains a learning exercise to be further developed in implementation and by benefiting from ongoing discussions. Greater commitment in providing an environment where all rights are respected, and obligations are met, will contribute towards building a more cohesive society as envisaged by QNV 2030 --a society where justice, benevolence and equality prevail.

No country is alone in today's world and international cooperation in the progressive realisation of development is essential. A deeper appreciation of the linkages between respect for human rights and national and regional peace, stability and security are required. Qatar will continue to play a significant role in the global partnership for development.

Qatar's fourth NHDR was prepared in partnership with relevant national ministries and government agencies, the private sector, civil society and the United Nations Development Programme's United Arab Emirates office. I would like to sincerely thank members of the National Advisory Committee who guided the preparation of this report, authors of background papers and participants of a National Seminar on the Right to Development who have provided important inputs and insights. Thanks are also due to members of the fourth NHDR project team for their professionalism in putting this publication together.

His Excellency Dr. Saleh bin Mohammad Al Nabit

Minister of Development Planning and Statistics

June 2015

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Realising QNV 2030 The Right to Development

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