The Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Blind (QSCCB) participated in a regional dialogue workshop focused on the rights of persons with disabilities under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The event, held at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, gathered representatives from government bodies, civil society organizations, and persons with disabilities from across the Gulf countries.

The workshop centered on the third report concerning the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) within the GCC states. Discussions addressed the current status of the convention’s execution, progress made to date, and the challenges faced in promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Participants reviewed the key indicators and general features of the draft third report, alongside the methodology employed in its development.

A significant portion of the dialogue was dedicated to the involvement of organizations representing persons with disabilities in the reporting and monitoring processes. The workshop emphasized the importance of integrating their perspectives to enhance participation and ensure that their needs and proposals are effectively communicated to decision-makers.

Faisal Al Kooheji, Chairman of QSCCB, highlighted the importance of such forums in fostering active engagement of persons with disabilities and their advocates in monitoring CRPD implementation. He noted that the workshop serves as a valuable platform to exchange knowledge and experiences among institutions working in this sector, which can in turn advance efforts to promote equal opportunities and social integration for persons with disabilities across the GCC region.