Welcome to the United Nations
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary-General of the Second World Summit for Social Development Li Junhua takes the stage to shed light on the upcoming Summit. This November, global leaders, policymakers, and civil society will convene in Doha, Qatar, for the Second World Summit for Social Development, marking 30 years since the landmark Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. The original 1995 summit was a historic moment that placed people at the heart of development through ten foundational commitments to eradicate poverty, promote full employment, and build inclusive, just, and resilient societies.
The upcoming Doha Summit will reaffirm those goals while confronting today’s most pressing social challenges. With the expected adoption of the Doha Political Declaration, participants aim to recommit to Copenhagen’s vision, accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and demonstrate that multilateralism and collective progress remain vital and achievable.
Progress and Persistent Challenges
Since Copenhagen, the world has witnessed remarkable progress:
Extreme poverty has been halved,
Education access has expanded, especially for girls,
Digital transformation has connected more communities, and
Global health improvements have extended life expectancy and combated major diseases.
However, critical challenges persist. Inequality, digital divides, conflict, and climate change continue to threaten progress, while vulnerable groups face enduring barriers to full participation.
A Platform for Global Cooperation
The Doha Summit aims to serve as a pivotal platform for dialogue and innovation. Governments, the private sector, and civil society are invited to share experiences and policy solutions to advance social progress. To support ongoing collaboration, the Doha Solutions Platform has been launched to outline new commitments and scalable initiatives focused on eradicating poverty, ensuring decent work, and strengthening social integration.
Key Issues in Focus
Discussions in Doha will center on:
Rebuilding trust in institutions through transparency and accountability;
Expanding inclusive and quality education and lifelong learning;
Ensuring food security and basic services for all;
Promoting physical and mental health;
Bridging digital divides while protecting human rights;
Advancing gender equality and fair distribution of care work;
Building climate resilience and reducing disaster risks;
Eliminating discrimination in all its forms.
A Call to Action
The Second World Summit for Social Development is more than a commemoration — it is a call to turn commitments into concrete action. By aligning global will, innovation, and shared purpose, the Summit seeks to forge a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
As the world gathers in Doha, the message is clear: social progress depends on people, partnerships, and persistence — and the time to act is now.
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