Eradicating Poverty in a Time of Converging Crises: A Call to Action for the Second World Social Summit

11 July 2025: With less than three years left in the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018-2027), the world is “off track” in meeting its goals. The latest report of the UN Secretary-General underscores a difficult reality: nearly 10 percent (800 million) of the global population still live in extreme poverty, and progress has stalled.

The report underscores that poverty is not just about income. It highlights how overlapping crises, such as climate change, conflict, economic shocks, and demographic pressures are wearing down hard-won gains and deepening inequality. Sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for nearly three-quarters of the world’s poorest, with rural populations, women, and children bearing the brunt of the situation. Hunger and multidimensional poverty remain widespread, while growing debt burdens and weakened institutions limit the ability of many countries to respond.

At the same time, the report does point to solutions. Successful models have demonstrated how data-driven governance, inclusive social protection, green job creation, climate-resilient agriculture and digital innovation can lift thousands upon millions of people out of poverty. Regional initiatives, like the African Continental Free Trade Area, also show us the promises that cooperation can provide for structural transformation.

The UN system itself is amping up the pressure: supporting women’s economic empowerment, expanding social protection, advancing climate-resilient agriculture, and addressing poverty in conflict-ridden areas. But financing remains a hurdle to be overcome. Development aid has declined, and debt servicing is using a record number of resources. Without an urgent reform of the international financial system, developing countries will struggle to meet basic needs.

The Secretary General calls for the upcoming Second World Social Summit for Social Development (Doha, 4–6 November 2025) to serve as a turning point. He urges governments to:

• Adopt multifaceted approaches to address poverty;
• Guarantee universal access to social protection, healthcare, and education;
• Empower women and youth through legal reforms and equal opportunities;
• Bridge the digital divide to ensure inclusive participation;
• Integrate climate action with poverty reduction;
• Strengthen governance and accountability; and
• Reform the global financial architecture to ease debt burdens

During a time of converging crises, the UN insists that poverty eradication must continue to be the focal point of the global agenda. The challenge is difficult to overcome but can be achieved through multilateral cooperation.

The Summit offers a pivotal opportunity to revitalize global commitments and embed poverty eradication across all dimensions of sustainable development. In an era of converging crises, eradicating poverty is not only a development goal—it is the foundation for global stability, equity, and shared prosperity.

For more information, read the full report.