Welcome to the United Nations
On 11 February 2025, key stakeholders convened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the side event “From Copenhagen to Doha: Advancing the Global Social Development Agenda”, held on the margins of the 63rd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63). Organized by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar, this event set the stage for the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development (SWSSD), which will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 4 to 6 November 2025.
Building on the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, the SWSSD aims to renew commitments, mobilize action, and address persistent challenges in eradicating poverty, achieving full and productive employment, and fostering social inclusion. The side event at CSocD63 provided a collaborative platform for policymakers, UN officials, and development experts to align on tangible outcomes for the upcoming summit.
Addressing global challenges in social development
In his opening remarks, H.E. Fahd Mohammed Al-Khayarin underscored Qatar’s commitment to social development, highlighting its investments in education, economic opportunities for youth, and human rights for workers. He reaffirmed Qatar’s ambition to make the SWSSD a milestone in advancing the global social development agenda.
Mr. Li Junhua emphasized that social development must not be an afterthought but a foundation for global peace and stability. He posed the critical question: "How can we move beyond promises to achieve real, tangible results for all?" He called for policy coherence between economic and social policies, including broadening social protection systems, improving access to education and affordable housing, and strengthening workers' rights in the digital era.
Reflecting on the legacy of Copenhagen, Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa noted that the SWSSD is a unique opportunity to reaffirm, review, and renew commitments to social justice, inclusive economic growth, and stability. Similarly, H.E. Krzystof Maria Szcerski stressed the importance of sharing best practices and addressing new challenges that have emerged since 1995.
Defining a results driven Second World Summit
Throughout the panel discussions, speakers addressed critical questions on shaping a transformative SWSSD, including:
- What practical actions should the summit deliver?
- How can governments and institutions ensure meaningful implementation of commitments?
- What role should multilateralism and international cooperation play in achieving social development goals?
Keynote speaker H.E. Danilo Türkoutlined five priorities for the SWSSD, including:
- Strengthening the UN’s social mandate to ensure social development remains central to global policymaking.
- Encouraging whole-of-government approaches to social development.
- Enhancing cooperative action in development financing to reduce global inequalities.
- Redirecting military spending toward social investment for sustainable development.
- Establishing platforms for continuous UN engagement on social policies.
Other panelists, including Dr. Sharifa Al-Emadi and Ms. Laura Thompson, discussed family-centered policies, the intersection of climate change and social development, and strategies for integrating informal workers into formal economies.
A collective commitment to social justice and inclusion
The session concluded with a call for an ambitious, inclusive, and action oriented Second World Summit for Social Development. Panelists stressed that the SWSSD must not only review past progress but also set a bold vision for the future, ensuring commitments translate into real impact for vulnerable communities worldwide.
As Qatar prepares to host the summit in November 2025, the momentum generated at CSocD63 marks a significant step toward reshaping the global social development agenda for decades to come.
Source: UN DESA