On Tuesday, 25/10/2022, the Permanent Population Committee (PPC) has celebrated Qatar Population Day under the theme "Five Years Since the Implementation of Qatar’s Population Policy (2017-2022): What Has Been Achieved?" This came in line with PPC celebrations of the World Population Day, which was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, and based on the decision of the Council of Ministers at its (27th) ordinary meeting on 6 October 2010, approving the organization of Qatar Population Day in October of each year.
The ceremony was inaugurated with a speech by H.E. Dr. Saleh bin Muhammad Al-Nabit, President of the Planning and Statistics Authority and Chairman of the Permanent Population Committee, delivered on his behalf by Mr. Sultan Al Kawari, PPC Vice-Chairman, in which he welcomed the guests and wished the participants success in achieving the objectives of this celebration. He also pointed out that this celebration coincided with the impressive success achieved by the State of Qatar in preparing for the launch of FIFA World Cup on 20 November 2022, and after five years since the implementation of Qatar’s Second Population Policy (2017-2022). He emphasized that the Second Population Policy was subject to a comprehensive and in-depth evaluation that showed, in general, a high level of progress in achieving the goals of this policy; as about (67%) of the goals approved in the Second Population Policy program were achieved to a high degree, and (22%) of them were achieved to an acceptable degree. As for the goals that were not achieved, for one reason or another, their percentage did not exceed (11%).
At the conclusion of his speech, he thanked all ministries, national authorities and institutions for their positive interaction and cooperation in implementing the Second Population Policy, which contributed to an objective assessment based on data obtained from the population reality. In the same vein, H.E. stressed the necessity of continuing the cooperative approach among all parties in order to achieve the proper and timely implementation of the Third Population Policy (2023-2027) that PPC is currently developing.
This was followed by a speech by H.E. Mr. Karl Kulessa, Representative of UNFPA Oman (GCC Office), in which he stressed the importance of Qatar’s Population Policy and its role in ensuring a better quality of life for all. Furthermore, he noted that the agenda of the UNFPA GCC is now focused more than ever on providing the youth in the region with the necessary skills to realize the potential of all, and empowering women to participate more in all aspects of life.
Afterwards, the celebration witnessed the honoring of PPC members, the heads of groups and the former members of the groups in recognition of their tremendous efforts and their effective role in following up on the implementation of the Program of Action of the Population Policy.
Then, the second session of Qatar Population Day 2022 was held under the title “Assessment Results of Qatar’s Second Population Policy (2017-2022),” which was facilitated by Mr. Sultan Al-Kuwari, Vice-Chairman of the Permanent Population Committee, and presented by Dr. Youssef Brik, an expert in the PPC Technical Office. Dr. Brik indicated the methodology used in the assessment process, and the most important results reached, noting that these results will be among the sources of drawing up the new population policy of the State of Qatar. Finally, he opened the door for discussion on what was presented.
