HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani said that Qatar attaches great importance to the family as the basic unit of society, making a reference to the efforts made by Qatar in strengthening the family since the convocation of the Doha International Conference on the Family in 2004. HE Sheikha Alya was speaking at a seminar on the family held at the UN Headquarters in New York to mark the 20th anniversary of the United Nations International Year of the Family (2014). The Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD) took part in the event. HE Sheikha Alya praised DIIFSD’s efforts that aimed at having a better understanding of family issues as well as the role of the United Nations Division for Economic and Social Affairs, stressing the importance of organizing such seminars to reach a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the family. DIIFSD Executive Director Noor Al-Malki addressed family policies in the Arab region based on the findings of the Institute’s work, especially the expert group meetings organized by the Institute in the past two years to prepare for the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family mentioned in the reports of the United Nations. Noor Al Malki said the failure in supporting and protecting family relations that may lead to family disintegration had a paramount influence even in economic terms, calling for brining the social and economic impacts of the collapse of the family on the economy and taxpayers to light. She highlighted ways of working out a policy focusing on the family as an entry point to achieve the development goals such as the eradication of poverty, maternal mortality, education of children and the prevention of child marriage or dealing with domestic violence. The recommendations and conclusions of the expert group meetings had a positive impact on the Committee’s discussions and decisions, and an agreement was reached on future follow-up actions.