Doha, Qatar: A global alliance founded by Qatar Foundation, Autism Speaks, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Social Development and Family, with support from the World Health Organization, to unite the world in advancing support for people with autism everywhere is expanding its international reach – and pinpointing a series of flagship initiatives that are designed to close crucial gaps in autism diagnosis, policy, investment, technology development, and lifelong support.
The Global Autism Advocacy Coalition (GAAC), launched at a State of Qatar-led event at the United Nations General Assembly last September, is the first platform of its kind to seek to bring together the international community in developing a unified worldwide approach to addressing autism, through moving beyond awareness to collective action and impact that ensures dignity and inclusion.
Following the formation of the coalition, its founding membership has grown with the Education Above All Foundation (EAA), which works to ensure equal access to quality education and to harness the power of education for positive, sustainable, and inclusive change, including for the most marginalized learners; the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, a Kazakh organization that supports projects across healthcare, culture, and education; and the Autism Impact Fund (AIF), a first-of-its-kind for-profit venture capital fund whose mission is to revolutionize the status quo for diagnosing, treating, and living with autism. Since its launch, AIF has become the global investment and innovation arm of the autism and behavioral health community, with 20 portfolio companies and two successful exits.
The three new members bring expertise in financing, philanthropy, education, and system transformation, enhancing the GAAC’s ability to promote collaboration, mobilize resources, expand global partnerships, and scale pan-regional impact. The coalition’s focus on Qatar is being aligned with national autism priorities through its work with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, while the Ministry of Public Health serves as the member
responsible for the health dimension of the coalition’s work in Qatar, including early screening, diagnosis, and clinical services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF will draw on their mandates in norm-setting, monitoring, and workforce development, together with their convening and coordination functions and broad regional and country-level presence, to provide strategic advice and contribute to the GAAC’s advocacy and implementation efforts.
The GAAC is implementing a regional approach to autism action, with the active engagement of philanthropic organizations through a ‘hub’ model. This will see QF serve as the hub for catalyzing autism action in the Middle East and North Africa region, Autism Speaks – which is also the coalition’s secretariat - lead efforts in North America, and the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation pilot this model in the Central Asia & South Caucuses region, reflecting the global expansion and reach of the coalition. Together, these hubs support regional coordination, country-level implementation, and the sharing of expertise to scale effective autism solutions in low- and middle-income countries.
A portfolio of initiatives launched by the GAAC’s members, aimed at addressing pivotal structural gaps in global autism systems, include a global index measuring each country’s progress on autism action; a shared global autism data platform; a laboratory to develop and scale affordable autism technologies; a governance body that ensures people with autism and their families have a central role in shaping autism strategies and decisions; and catalyzing an effort to build care systems and the global workforce required to effectively deliver full-lifespan autism services.
With 61.8 million people around the world – equating to about one in every 127 people – being on the autism spectrum, and reported prevalence rates rising, the GAAC has been formed through the recognition that autism action is a shared social responsibility, and must span policy, advocacy, outreach, knowledge-sharing, and strategic partnerships.
The GAAC is the latest chapter in an 18-year record led by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, of turning autism awareness into a global movement. In 2007, a proposal by Her Highness led the United Nations General Assembly to adopt, without a vote, the establishment of World Autism Awareness Day, which is now marked on 2 April each year.
In 2016, a global health report commissioned under Her Highness’ leadership called for precisely the type of coordinated global architecture on autism action that the GAAC is now
delivering – built on shared data, interdisciplinary research, and a global partnership framework.
Qatar’s championing of global awareness on autism paved the way for the establishment of the GAAC and the realization of a truly collective international movement focused on autism action, which will be emphasized once again to a worldwide audience in September when the GAAC and its members participate in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Her Excellency Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Social Development and Family, said: “The remarkable progress of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition reflects our shared belief that lasting change can only be achieved through collaboration.
“Addressing the challenges of autism requires governments, international organizations, philanthropy, researchers, innovators, and people with lived experience to work together. By bringing these partners together, we are creating a platform that can accelerate evidence-based solutions, advance a human rights-based approach to autism inclusion, and strengthen support across the lifespan.
“For Qatar, innovation is not only about technology; it is about reimagining how policies, services and communities work together to ensure autistic people can realize their rights, participate fully in society and reach their full potential. Through the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition, we are building partnerships that develop and scale practical, inclusive solutions while sharing knowledge that can benefit countries around the world.”
His Excellency Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, said: "The State of Qatar is committed to advancing the health, wellbeing, and inclusion of individuals with autism through strong partnerships at the national, regional, and global levels. By joining the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition, we reaffirm our belief that meaningful progress is achieved through collective action, shared expertise, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes across the lifespan.
“The Ministry of Public Health is honored to lead the health dimension of Qatar’s contribution to the coalition, bringing its expertise to strengthen early screening, timely diagnosis, and access to quality intervention services, and promote equitable access to quality care for individuals with autism and their families."
Dr. Hilal Lashuel, Research, Development, and Innovation Advisor to the Chairperson’s Office and Executive Director of Research, Development and Innovation at QF, said: “It is
deeply encouraging to see the steadily growing momentum behind this coalition. This is clearly reflected by the collective commitment of world-leading organizations across sectors to mobilize their platforms, networks, and resources to build a world where people with autism are valued, empowered, and able to reach their full potential.
“We are building a global movement where all members are valued as autism partners and active contributors in shaping future solutions and innovations. By pairing this commitment with platforms and resources that democratize innovation, we aim to lay the foundation for true equity and global impact.”
The coalition is also leading the development of policy papers that are designed to provide an evidence base for autism action and solutions focused on early diagnosis, inclusive education, adult services, and ensuring inclusion for people with autism within employment and community life.
Alongside its global efforts, QF’s ecosystem has enabled the development and evolution of a comprehensive network of full-lifespan support for people with autism and their families, which also raises awareness of, and enables action on, autism. This includes its specialized school for children and young people with autism, Renad Academy; its Autism Strategy 2025-2035, a blueprint for autism action across its ecosystem and community; and its recently launched Autism Community Hub, a digital platform that brings together autism services, resources, and expertise in one place to offer coordinated, accessible care and guidance for Qatar families and professionals.
