Next week, leaders from around the world will gather in Doha, Qatar, for a high-level UN conference aimed at reviving that vision. From 4 to 6 November, the Second World Summit for Social Development will bring together Heads of State, ministers, civil society and experts to assess progress, address persistent gaps and chart a renewed path forward.
At its heart lies a simple but powerful question: how can we ensure that no one is left behind?
“The Summit comes at a critical time,” said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
He explained: “Inequalities are widening. Trust is eroding. Communities are struggling with conflict, climate crises and rapid technological change. And yet we also see extraordinary innovation, resilience and solidarity. “This is our chance to rebuild trust between governments and their people – and between nations.”
A global call to action
Bjørg Sandkjær, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said the Summit represents a “global call to action” at a time when more than one billion people still live in complex poverty and 40 percent of the world’s population lacks access to social protection.
The meeting said UN Newsit is about renewing confidence in collective progress – “trust that we can make a difference.”
The meeting follows months of intergovernmental negotiations in New York that culminated in an agreement on the Doha Political Declaration, which is expected to be formally adopted at the inaugural session.
The Declaration is at the center of the Summit, stressed Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, ambassador and permanent representative of Qatar to the UN.
“It is a global call to action that renews the commitment of governments to create an enabling economic, political, social, cultural and legal environment to achieve social development for all.” she said.
Global implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals faces significant challenges, and progress on several goals is slowing or regressing.
A crucial moment
With only five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the world is far behind on many fronts. Progress in poverty reduction has slowed, gender equality has stagnated and many young people face a precarious future.
Last year, when the Member States convened this Summit, they sent a clear message: social development must once again take center stageexplained ASG Sandkjær.
It is about recommitting to the core of the 2030 Agenda and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Dynamic and inclusive
In addition to the official plenaries, a parallel program will add a participatory and forward-looking dimension to the Summit.
A Civil Society Forum, Private Sector Forum and interactive Solutions Plaza will highlight innovations in employment, social protection and community resilience. Youth and academic networks will take center stage, embodying a spirit of co-creation and shared responsibility.
A new Doha Solutions Platform for Social Development, co-launched by host Qatar, alongside France, will highlight real-world commitments and new initiatives, from policy reforms to partnerships addressing poverty, work and inclusion.
“Doha is once again a symbol of global solidarity, where commitments inspire action, partnerships and drive progress. and the shared vision of an inclusive, sustainable and peaceful future for all comes to life,” said Ambassador Al-Thani.
Young climate activists in Maldives highlight key messages and urge climate action.
Completing the circle
For Sandkjær, who attended the first World Summit in Copenhagen in 1995 as a young activist, Doha represents both continuity and change. At that time, he recalled, there was great optimism: the belief that multilateralism and cooperation would continue to advance.
“Young people today face more difficult challenges: misinformation, climate anxiety, distrust,” he said. “But my message to them is simple: Your commitment matters. Raise your voice, form alliances and press for action.”
From words to action
The success of the Summit will not be measured by the speeches but by the implementation, he emphasized.
With a strong statement and alliances already established, “The real test,” he said, “is translate commitments into real improvements in people’s lives: decent jobs, social protection, inclusion. This way we will know that we have achieved it.“
UN News reporting live!
As world leaders gather in Doha, expectations are high, as is the sense of urgency. Thirty years after Copenhagen, the task remains the same: build a world where progress is measured not only in wealth, but also in well-being, equality and human dignity.
UN News We will be reporting live from Doha. throughout the Summit, featuring stories, interviews and insights from world leaders, youth activists, civil society and innovators driving change.
Follow our coverage on digital and social platforms to get real-time updates and human stories from this important meeting for social development.