Putting People and Planet First: Lessons on Poverty Eradication Ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development

As the world looks towards the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, one message remains clear: development must put people and planet first. Poverty eradication is the foundation for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Tackling poverty requires efforts in areas from education, health, food security, infrastructure, to innovation and peace. Across more than 160 countries, UN teams are putting this vision into practice. Their experiences reveal five key insights that shed light on how poverty eradication can truly transform societies.

1. Poverty is multidimensional

Poverty is more than a lack of income; it is a lack of opportunity, access, and security. For too long, poverty was measured only in monetary terms, but countries are now adopting multidimensional poverty indices to capture the real conditions people face, such as access to education, clean water, healthcare, and digital connectivity. This broader view allows governments and UN Country Teams to design more targeted and effective policies. In Egypt, for example, programmes like Hayah Kareema (Decent Life) and Takaful and Karama (Solidarity and Dignity) are improving access to infrastructure, education, and social protection while empowering women and rural communities.

2. Social protection builds resilience

Resilient societies are built on systems that protect people from shocks before they occur. Social protection not only provides safety nets during times of crisis but also strengthens stability and peace by ensuring that no one is left behind. In Albania, the UN is supporting the Government through a Universal Child Benefit that provides financial support to all children, alongside a Long-Term Care policy for older persons and individuals with disabilities. Similarly, in Guinea-Bissau, the Resident Coordinator and UN agencies helped the Government adopt a National Social Protection Policy in 2024 that safeguards vulnerable groups and advances gender equality.

3. Decent work drives progress

Creating decent jobs is one of the surest ways to break the cycle of poverty. Fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for skills development allow people to build secure livelihoods and strengthen their communities. Through the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, the UN and the International Labour Organization are helping 18 countries align public and private investments toward inclusive job creation. In Nepal and the Philippines, major employment reforms are expanding opportunities for young people, women, and informal workers, especially in the growing green and digital sectors.

4. Inclusion is the true measure of impact

True progress depends on inclusion that reaches every person, regardless of gender, age, or ability. Despite advances, women still earn only 78 per cent of what men earn on average, and persons with disabilities or older persons often face barriers to full participation in society. UN teams are working with governments and civil society to integrate inclusion into every policy area, from health and digital transformation to infrastructure and public services. In Panama, the adoption of Law 431 in 2024 established a National Care System that supports women’s rights and gender equality, while El Salvador is implementing reforms that formally recognize and value care work in the economy.

5. Financing must be focused, flexible, and fair

The world has the financial resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, but they must be directed toward people-centred priorities. Smart and equitable financing allows countries to invest in strong social systems even when facing debt constraints. Mechanisms such as the Joint SDG Fund and Integrated National Financing Frameworks help governments connect public budgets, private investments, and scalable programmes under a unified goal. In Zanzibar, Tanzania, four UN agencies are working with the Resident Coordinator to strengthen seaweed farming value chains through credit, savings, and insurance tools that improve livelihoods for women and youth.

At its core, poverty eradication is about restoring trust between people, communities, and the institutions that serve them. The upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development will be a pivotal moment to reaffirm this commitment and renew a global social contract grounded in dignity, solidarity, and inclusion. When societies invest in people’s potential and protect their rights, every Sustainable Development Goal becomes within reach, and the vision of the 2030 Agenda moves closer to reality.

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