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NEW >> An informal briefing for stakeholders was convened on 25 November 2024 by H.E. Omar Hilale and H.E. Philippe Kridelka, the co-facilitators of the preparatory process for the Second World Summit for Social Development. It provided the first opportunity to hear from various stakeholders their views and expectations for the Summit. Over 100 representatives from civil society, UN entities and Member States attended in person, along with many viewers on webcast. Following brief introductory remarks by the co-facilitators, 18 NGOs and two UN entities made statements. The Co-facilitators expressed their commitment to full transparency and inclusiveness, and to continuing a dialogue with representatives of non-governmental organizations and social groups. Stakeholders asked for clarity on the timeline and process for stakeholder inputs to the draft outcome document. They shared their initial thoughts on issues that they would like to see reflected in the outcome including: older persons, youth, family, intergenerational solidarity, social and economic justice, social dialogue, investments in decent jobs, equality and inclusion, health and wellbeing. The briefing is available to watch on UN Web TV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1c/k1ceozau4l.
A social perspective on sustainable development, focused on equity, inclusion, social justice and non-discrimination, remains central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is enshrined in the pledge that no one will be left behind, a core commitment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Decision to convene the “World Social Summit” in 2025
On 26 February 2024, in its resolution 78/L.39, the General Assembly decided to convene the “World Social Summit” in 2025 under the title “the Second World Summit for Social Development”.
The Second World Summit for Social Development would address the gaps and recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action and its implementation and give momentum towards implementing the 2030 Agenda.
At the request of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations, have been appointed as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental preparatory process leading up to the Summit, consisting of its modalities and outcome.
The outcome should be a short and concise political declaration adopted by consensus, should have a social development approach, and should give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The Road to the 2025 Second World Summit for Social Development - PDF version
Recent and upcoming intergovernmental meetings
- SDG Summit 2023
- 78th General Assembly - Third Committee
- Special Meeting of ECOSOC on the Future of Work
- 62nd Commission for Social Development - CSocD62 on "Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication".
- 2024 High-level Political Forum on "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions"
- 2024 Summit of the Future - Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations
- 2025 High-level Political Forum on “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind”
- 79th General Assembly - Third Committee on the "Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly"
- 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development - CSocD63 on "Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development"
- Second World Summit for Social Development, 4-6 November 2025 in Qatar
The Road from 1995 to 2025
The 1995 World Summit for Social Development was a milestone in multilateral cooperation, establishing a vision of people-centred development and a global commitment to social development that resonates with us today.
In the decades that followed, humankind achieved unprecedented social progress. Yet, our journey of rapid development and the novel challenges of our fast-changing world have left many people and countries behind. Deep inequalities and extreme poverty persist, decent work is in short supply and a climate crisis looms. Throughout the world, people are feeling increasingly insecure and uncertain about the future.
We are at an inflection point. Insecurity about the future and mistrust of institutions are on the rise, eroding the social fabric and hindering our ability to act collectively to achieve common goals. The root causes of these failures transcend borders and demand collective action. It is time to respond by shaping a socially sustainable development path towards a better future, with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development as our guiding lights.
On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Member States pledged to strengthen global governance for present and future generations. They requested that the Secretary-General report recommendations to respond to current and future challenges. The Secretary-General responded with his report, Our Common Agenda, a wake-up call to speed up the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and propel the commitments of the UN75 Declaration forward. In some cases, the proposals addressed gaps that have emerged since 2015 that require intergovernmental agreements. Among these, the report proposed that consideration should be given to holding a World Social Summit in 2025.
“This would be an opportunity to hold a different form of global deliberation and to live up to the values, including trust and listening, that underpin the social contract. The Summit outcome could be an update of the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, covering issues such as universal social protection floors, including universal health coverage, adequate housing, education for all and decent work, and give momentum towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,”
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General