Synthesizing Key Messages on the Three Pillars of Social Development

As momentum builds toward the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in Doha this November, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force (UN IATF) supporting preparations for the Summit has released three new synthesis briefs that bring renewed clarity and focus to the core pillars of social development:

• Social Inclusion
• Eradicating Poverty
• Full Employment and Decent Work for All

These non-papers, developed with inputs from over 25 UN entities and in alignment with the fields of action identified in the co-facilitators’ Food for Thought paper, offer concise overviews of global progress, persistent gaps, and bold, forward-looking action areas. Together, they provide a foundation for Member States to shape the Political Declaration and Summit outcomes.

Social Inclusion

The brief underscores that social inclusion must go beyond support for individual population groups to address structural inequalities and promote universal access to rights and opportunities. Key recommendations include:

• Anchoring policies in human rights principles such as non-discrimination and accountability.
• Ensuring universal access to health, education, care, and support services.
• Building participatory institutions and data systems to ensure no one is left behind.

Read the full brief on Social Inclusion

Eradicating Poverty

Despite historic progress, poverty remains entrenched and increasingly multidimensional. The brief calls for:

• Aligning macroeconomic policy with social objectives.
• Ensuring universal social protection and investing in essential services.
• Strengthening rural development and supporting the care economy.
• Reforming international financial systems to support fiscal space and debt sustainability.

Read the full brief on Eradicating Poverty

Full Employment and Decent Work for All

This synthesis stresses that employment is a cornerstone of social development, especially for youth, women, and marginalized groups. It recommends:

• Expanding formal employment through industrialization and MSME support.
• Investing in lifelong learning, care work, and just digital and green transitions.
• Strengthening labour protections, social dialogue, and wage equity.

Read the full brief on Employment and Decent Work