Ressources

This document highlights key messages for the Arab region to support preparations for the Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Doha, Qatar, from 4-6 November 2025. The messages focus on the three main themes of the Summit which are: eradicating poverty, promoting full and productive employment and decent work, and supporting social integration; in addition to other cross-cutting issues that are critical for advancing social development amidst ongoing conflicts, fiscal constraints, climate pressures, and a persistent digital divide.

The ILO policy brief, “Peak-level social dialogue: An essential force for economic development and social progress, highlights the role of peak-level social dialogue in fostering inclusive, legitimate policymaking and advancing the UN 2030 Agenda. It examines current challenges and gaps in participation, resources, and fundamental rights that affect its effectiveness.

Progress in reducing poverty is fragile. Covid-19 and growing threats from climate change and conflict are a stark reminder that many people are still one misfortune away from falling into poverty. Strengthening the resilience of families and communities to prevent falls into poverty is essential to prevent setbacks to safeguard progress over the long term.

Inequalities based on age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, or economic or other status persist across generations, limiting access to opportunities like education, health, and jobs. Disaggregated data is essential to reveal these disparities and inform targeted action. A life course approach, grounded in robust evidence, can help dismantle structural barriers and promote inclusive, equitable development for all.

As Member States prepare for the Second World Summit for Social Development, they face a defining choice: continue addressing poverty eradication, the creation of decent work, and social inclusion as siloed policy areas—or renew the broader, integrated approach to social progress first articulated at the first social summit, in 1995.

This policy brief underscores the critical role of universal social protection as a prerequisite for advancing social development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights coverage gaps, the need for increased investment, and the importance of social protection in addressing poverty, inequality, employment challenges, and global crises.

This brief underscores the vital role of migrant workers in the global economy, particularly in the services and care sectors. It outlines key ILO priorities for promoting fair, well-governed, and rights-based labour migration systems.

This brief outlines how the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection helps countries design and finance integrated policies for decent work, universal social protection, and just transitions. It highlights the initiative’s role in advancing social development goals through tailored national roadmaps and multilateral collaboration.

The policy brief discusses the role of wage policies, including living wages, in advancing decent work and social justice. It highlights wage trends, persistent inequalities, the importance of minimum wage systems, and the need for evidence-based wage-setting processes through social dialogue.

This brief underscores the critical role of the care economy in advancing decent work, gender equality, and social development. It calls for bold investments, policy coherence, and transformative action to address care gaps and ensure fair, inclusive, and sustainable societies.

This brief calls for decisive multilateral action to reduce inequalities within and between countries, emphasizing the role of decent work, social protection, and inclusive policies in tackling economic disparities and strengthening social cohesion.

This brief explores the widespread challenge of informality in the world of work and its impact on rights, productivity, and social justice. It highlights the need for integrated strategies and strong partnerships to support a sustainable transition to formality.

This policy brief highlights the need for urgent policy action to tackle high youth NEET rates and promote decent work, especially for young women and in Africa. It calls for greater investment to ensure brighter futures and social justice.

This brief highlights the urgent need to uphold fundamental principles and rights at work as universal human rights essential to fair globalization. It presents alarming global data and calls for renewed commitment and transformative action to tackle persistent inequalities and decent work deficits.

This brief highlights the need for integrated, inclusive skills and lifelong learning systems to address global labour market mismatches and prepare for green and digital transitions. It outlines policy priorities to align education, training, and employment strategies for sustainable, equitable growth.

At its 113th Session, the International Labour Conference adopted a resolution reaffirming the ILO’s central role in advancing social justice and decent work in the lead-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development. The resolution calls on Member States to fully involve employers’ and workers’ organizations in preparations for the Summit and entrusts the ILO with leading implementation efforts in areas such as employment creation, social protection, and social dialogue.