Welcome to the United Nations
From 4 to 6 November 2025, world leaders, policymakers, civil society, youth, and private sector representatives will gather in Doha, Qatar for the Second World Summit for Social Development, a milestone event to renew global commitment to inclusive and people-centred development.
Renewing Global Commitment
Thirty years after the first Social Summit in Copenhagen, the world faces new realities: widening inequalities, technological transformation, demographic shifts, and the growing impacts of climate change. The Summit seeks to advance concrete actions that improve people’s lives and strengthen social resilience in every country.
Its main objective is to accelerate progress on the social dimension of sustainable development—eradicating poverty, expanding decent work, and promoting inclusion—while aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Delegates are expected to adopt the Doha Political Declaration, a global pledge to place people at the centre of policy and action, and to rebuild trust through stronger multilateral cooperation.
What Participants Can Expect
The Summit will feature:
High-level plenary meetings and roundtables on poverty eradication, employment, and social inclusion.
Thematic dialogues on digital transformation, social protection, migration, and climate resilience.
Stakeholder-led platforms, including a Civil Society Forum, a Private Sector Forum, a Solutions Studio, and a Solutions Square Exhibition.
The Doha Solutions Platform for Social Development, highlighting innovative and resourced initiatives that transform commitments into results.
Special sessions will spotlight partnerships and initiatives that can be replicated or scaled up in different contexts.
Why It Matters
At a time of multiple global crises, economic uncertainty, climate shocks, growing inequality, and social fragmentation, the Summit provides an opportunity to bring renewed focus to the human dimension of sustainable development. It will serve as a platform for shared solutions and collective progress across nations and sectors.
Expected Outcomes
Participants are expected to:
Adopt the Doha Political Declaration, committing to accelerate implementation of social development goals.
Launch new partnerships and initiatives that advance social protection, decent work, and inclusion.
Strengthen accountability and follow-up on progress.
Mobilize innovative financing and cooperation to support national and local social development strategies.
The Way Forward
The challenge after Doha will be to transform commitments into action. Countries will need to integrate Summit outcomes into national policies, budgets, and legal frameworks. Governments, civil society, and the private sector will play key roles in maintaining momentum through collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility.
The Summit represents a renewed global effort to build trust, drive equity, secure the present, and shape a better future for all.
Learn more about the Summit by visiting: https://social.desa.un.org/world-summit-2025
