It also emphasizes that social development is not only a moral imperative, but also a precondition for peace, stability and sustainable growth.
The Summit brought together more than 14,000 stakeholders under one roof, including more than 40 Heads of State and Government, 170 ministers, leaders of international organizations, youth representatives, civil society actors and experts.
At the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha, delegates moved between meeting rooms and lively networking spaces packed with students, activists and community leaders, underscoring that social development is not the work of governments alone.
Participants mingle in one of the World Summit’s networking spaces.
The Doha Political Declaration
The Doha Political Declaration, named after the city of its adoption, renews leaders’ commitment to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and the 2030 Agenda, focusing social development on three mutually reinforcing pillars: poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social inclusion.
It links social justice with peace, security and human rights, pledges to leave no one behind and calls for urgent climate action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, reaffirming the Rio principles, including common but differentiated responsibilities.
Financing takes center stage: the Declaration reaffirms the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as an integral part of the 2030 Agenda, welcomes the Seville Commitment to renew the financing framework and calls for stronger and more representative multilateral institutions.
Monitoring will be carried out by the Social Development Commission, with a five-year review process to evaluate progress and close gaps.
In a brief conversation with UN News At the World Social Summit in Doha, Joyce Msuya, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, underlined the enduring relevance of the United Nations and the role of hope in humanitarian action:
Travel the last kilometer, don’t leave anyone behind
Speaking after the adoption, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock emphasized that Doha must “go the last mile” to ensure that no one is left behind.
Reflecting on progress made since Copenhagen, she noted that unemployment has fallen globally and extreme poverty has decreased, but disparities remain stark, especially among women and young people.
He warned that economic growth alone has proven insufficient to overcome structural inequalities and highlighted that climate change, demographic pressures and conflicts are aggravating social vulnerabilities.
Ms. Baerbock called for holistic and interconnected solutions that jointly address poverty, hunger, education, health, climate resilience and gender equality, stressing that The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “are not 17 separate goals, but rather an integrated framework where progress in one area accelerates progress in others.”
“These are not isolated agendas, they all underscore that human security is the foundation of global security,” he said.
Participants in the Second World Summit on Social Development.
A booster shot for development
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that progress on the SDGs is too slow and that several goals are stalled or reversed.
“The Doha Political Declaration represents an impetus for development,He said, calling it a “popular plan” focused on expanding universal social protection, ensuring equitable access to health and education, creating decent work and closing the digital divide.
He also highlighted the urgency of reforming the global financial architecture to ensure fair access to development and climate finance, particularly for developing countries facing debt problems.
In conclusion, the Secretary General stressed that the The summit is about “hope through collective action” – and about mobilizing the political and financial will to deliver on the promise first made in Copenhagen.
“Guided by the Doha Political Declaration, let us realize the popular and bold plan that humanity needs and deserves,” said.
UN news from the field
UN News is on the ground in Dohaproviding continuous coverage throughout the week, including live updates, interviews and analysis from the Summit. Follow our coverage here.