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The State of Qatar told the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council that safeguarding the dignity, humanity and rights of older persons stands as an enduring priority regardless of their age or any shifts in health and cognitive abilities. Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva Abdulrahman Sultan Al Marzouqi delivered the statement during an interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons under Item 3 of the session. Al Marzouqi underscored the country’s strong commitment to supporting this group, which the mandate of the Independent Expert established by Human Rights Council resolution 24/20 in 2013 seeks to advance through assessment of standards and identification of best practices.
Qatar has adopted the term Kibar Al Qadr as the respectful designation for older persons, Al Marzouqi explained in the statement reported by The Peninsula. The choice reflects the high regard in which society and the state hold them along with recognition of their contributions over time. According to the statement all Qatari institutions have been directed to use this term rather than older persons to reinforce the elevated standing rooted in religious, cultural and social values.
An integrated legislative and healthcare framework protects older persons while enabling them to manage their affairs without any compromise to their dignity or humanity, Al Marzouqi noted. The protection and promotion of their rights draw support from the Permanent Constitution, Qatar National Vision 2030, associated national development strategies and plans. World Bank data places the share of persons aged 65 and above at roughly 1.7 percent of Qatar’s total population, a figure that has risen gradually from 1.3 percent in 2021 amid broader demographic trends.
Qatar has enacted specific legislation to secure the rights of older persons, including Law No. 9 of 2022, Al Marzouqi stated. The law delineates those rights and assigns clear responsibilities to the state, families and society at large for their safeguarding. It further guarantees access to health and social services while promoting effective participation in family and community life.
The statement aligns with Qatar’s consistent engagement at the Human Rights Council on matters concerning older persons, a pattern also evident in a similar intervention during the 60th session in 2025. The current Independent Expert, Zvezdan Pirtošek of Slovenia, assumed the role in May 2026 following previous holder Claudia Mahler, according to OHCHR records. Al Marzouqi’s remarks highlighted how cultural emphasis on respect and care for older persons complements formal legal structures to sustain their wellbeing.
Qatar maintains specialised institutions such as the Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly known as Ihsan to deliver targeted services, earlier official statements have indicated. These efforts form part of a wider policy landscape that seeks to integrate the contributions and needs of older persons into national development objectives. The address in Geneva on September 9 reaffirmed that such measures continue to evolve in response to both domestic priorities and international human rights dialogue.
