Engagement Opportunities in the lead up to WSSD2 2025

The next Prep Com meeting held on 10 to 14 February. iii) advocacy and stakeholder engagement iv) link between financing for development, role of international cooperation, financial reform and sustainable development crucial for WSSD2.

The FfD4 is linked to the WSS through its focus on reducing inequalities and promoting inclusive development. FfD4 focus emphasizes mobilizing financial resources to address global challenges, including extreme poverty, climate change, and social exclusion, which are also central to the WSS agenda. FfD4’s commitment to debt relief and climate finance directly supports the WSS goal of ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for marginalized communities. By prioritizing investments in social infrastructure such as housing, health care, basic services, and education – FfD4 aligns with the Summist's emphasis on reducing disparities and fostering social inclusion. Additionally, FfD4’s focus on sustainable cities resonates with the WSS call for inclusive urban development. Both frameworks recognize the importance of addressing urban inequalities, such as inadequate housing and lack of basic services, particularly in informal settlements. FfD4’s promotion of multistakeholder partnerships further aligns with the Summit’s approach, as it encourages collaboration between governments, financial institutions, and civil society to address social vulnerabilities like gender inequality and youth unemployment.

UNRISD to organize or co-convene side events to foster dialogue among thought leaders, policymakers, and activists. The event(s) will serve as a platform to highlight research findings and actionable recommendations stemming from UNRISD’s preparatory work.

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The forum will address ethical considerations surrounding AI, contributing insights for policy development at the WSSD2

Regional seminar to discuss poverty, hunger and inequality issues in LAC to be considered for the Summit discussion. Two special sessions are scheduled for high level discussions among representatives of groups on countries and among DESA and the RC Executive Secretaries.

Organized by ESCWA with a focus on social protection and its impact on the SDGs in the context of lead-up to WSS2. Multiple preparatory meetings of the Arab working group on social protection will be engaged on WSS2 preparations (February in Riyadh and June in Algiers).

This conference addresses global policies to combat hunger, with a particular focus on rights-based approaches. Its outcomes can directly inform the Summit’s discussions on food security as a component of social development.

The Coalition’s Forum is the annual gathering of Coalition partners, providing a space where partners can discuss thematic issues related to social justice, as well as the challenges, opportunities and potential solutions in respect of advancing the Coalition’s objectives. It also allows to exchange knowledge, tools and experiences, and showcase activities and initiatives undertaken in support of social justice.
The Coalition’s Annual Forum will take place during the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference, in Geneva, Switzerland. The plenary will take place in the Palais des Nations (Geneva, Switzerland), and will be live broadcasted. In addition to the plenary, there will be opportunities for Coalition partners to engage and network, such as a "partners' zone" for interactive exchanges on thematic areas, and an "engagement zone" for interviews and social media interactions.

UNRISD will participate in promoting regional social development challenges.

Participation in support of the Global Coalition for Social Justice

Side-event

The forthcoming policy brief will include a conceptual discussion and policy proposals on inclusive social development, prepared by ECLAC to feed the views and discussions of the Summit (internal discussions)

This joint document of the five regional commissions will serve as an input for the preparatory process of the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025. The joint document underscores the need to strengthen social policies and tailor them to a risk structure reconfigured by global crises. Alongside high levels of poverty, inequality and informal employment, profound transformations in demographics, climate, technology and the labour market are under way. Complementary actions beyond social policy are also needed, as progress is equally crucial in the economic and environmental dimensions. Regional frameworks and agreements have been instrumental in driving social policy change and must continue to be leveraged, including in the universalization of social protection systems and in the areas of migration, labour inclusion, taxation and resource management, to achieve shared growth and stability.

This report is under preparation by the Presiding Officers countries of the Conference and ECLAC to facilitate the discussions and articulate their messages and proposals to the Summit.

Engaging school children in five countries across the region in WSS2 themes and raising awareness of impact at community level. The challenges facing the Arab region, including conflicts, food shortages, widespread poverty, low rates of education and the consequent problems such as displacement, brain drain, food insecurity and aggravated pollution, among others, have been the main topics of "The ESCWA Stories", Volume 4.