Regional Webinars Mobilize UN Country Teams for the Second World Summit for Social Development

Between July and August 2025, DESA and DCO convened five regional briefings with UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to align country-level action ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, 4–6 November 2025).

Purpose of the Webinars

The regional webinars were designed to: (1) raise awareness of the Summit’s goals and timeline; (2) brief Resident Coordinators (RCs), RCOs and UNCTs on process and expected outcomes; (3) encourage inclusive national consultations and support to government delegations; and (4) highlight common regional priorities in the lead up to the Summit and for follow-up implementation after the Summit.

Timeline of Regional Webinars 

Europe and Central Asia – 16 July 2025
Latin America and the Caribbean – 19 August 2025
Asia–Pacific – 26 August 2025
Arab States – 27 August 2025
Africa – 28 August 2025

Broad Participation

Turnout was strong across all regions, with an average of 50+ participants per session; one session drew over 100 attendees and another over 80, reflecting broad engagement by RCs, UNCT members, agency focal points, and regional economic commissions and other regional UN entities.

Regional Highlights 

Across all regions, the webinars spotlighted a strong desire for inclusive and participatory consultations to build momentum to the Summit and frame common national positions, connecting governments, civil society organizations, and local stakeholders. UN Country teams under the leadership of RCs can facilitate these consultations based on demand by member States. Many regions underscored the necessity of linking Summit preparations to national and regional priorities—whether on digitalization, disability inclusion and combating discrimination in Latin America and the Caribbean or by advancing a unified regional perspective in Africa to confront common challenges . The importance of whole-of-society engagement and strong government leadership was echoed in the Asia–Pacific and Arab States, where rights-based social contracts and national ownership of outcomes were stressed.

A recurring theme was the challenge of constrained fiscal space and heightened social vulnerability, especially in regions grappling with slow economic growth, high debt, or the lingering impacts of COVID-19. Nonetheless, the participants highlighted the Summit as a catalyst for urgent policy action—leveraging the event to align their social development agendas on poverty eradication, digitalization, disability inclusion, climate resilience, and social protection. The sessions also identified opportunities for capacity-building, technical assistance, and tangible follow-up mechanisms, signaling a shared commitment to ensure Summit outcomes translate into measurable progress on the ground.

What happens next

Ahead of Doha (4–6 November 2025), RCs and UNCTs will continue to support national consultations, preparation of delegations, and planning for Solution Sessions. After the Summit, follow-up will focus on embedding commitments into country and regional strategies, coordination mechanisms and financing pathways—with an emphasis on inclusion and measurable results.