Nearly 14,000 participants are registered for the Summit, which brings together governments, international organizations and community actors to shape a people-centered vision for social development over the next decade.
Education as a foundation
A high-level event, Education as the Basis of the New Social Contract, set the tone for the day. Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser delivered a keynote address urging a renewed commitment to education as a starting point for justice and opportunity.
Citing the 272 million children currently out of school, many of them because of conflict, he said progress is impossible if exclusion persists.
“Education is not a luxury, nor a favor that can be granted,“, he said. “It is a right and an existential issue for the future of nations.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reinforced that message, describing Education as “the best tool we have to fight poverty.”. But it warned of widening inequalities, chronic underinvestment and a global shortage of trained teachers.
We must repair the “cracks in this vital foundation,” he said, calling for closing digital divides, strengthening support for teachers, and treating education not as a cost, but as a strategic investment.
Later, in a press conference, Guterres highlighted that rebuilding education systems will be essential in crisis environments, including Gaza and Sudan.
“Education must be a central pillar of any reconstruction project in Gaza,” he said.
The presidents of Kenya, Albania and Palau participate in a high-level event on education.
Dialogue of presidents
The session also included a high-level dialogue with the Presidents of Kenya, Albania and Palau, who stressed that education is an investment in human development and future growth.
Kenyan President William Ruto called for aligning education with digital and labor market needs; The President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, highlighted education as a universal right; and President Surangel Whipps of Palau highlighted the importance of ensuring access in remote and island communities.
Solutions throughout the Summit
Throughout the event, solution-focused sessions explored practical ways to expand opportunities and social protection.
In a flagship session on universal social protection, the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, highlighted that Social protection “is not charity, but a human right”fundamental to equity and resilience.
He highlighted progress in expanding coverage to informal workers and urged international financial reforms to safeguard public investment. “Practical solutions are within our reach,” he said. “Let’s turn commitments into action.”
Women and children from a village draw water from a well. These tasks prevent children from attending classes and leave women unable to participate in formal sectors.
New political approach to poverty
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) introduced a new analysis urging governments to overcome traditional poverty lines.
Its policy brief proposes establishing “floors of prosperity”, ensuring that people can not only escape poverty but also remain resilient in the face of shocks such as disease, job loss or climate-related disasters.
According to the analysis, 411 million people could move from poverty to basic security by 2030 if countries pursue employment-intensive growth, adaptable social protection and policies that improve wages and working conditions.
“With decisive and integrated action, We can break the cycle of vulnerability and achieve lasting prosperity.. The past 30 years have shown that progress is possible,” said UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu, referring to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration that set out global commitments on social development for the first time.
Implementation time
From youth dialogues to debates on digital inclusion, nutrition, disability rights, decent work and aging societies, participants returned to a shared message: progress is possible, but it must be rooted in real-world needs.
With leaders adopting the Doha Political Declaration, attention now turns to translating commitments into action and investment.
UN News is located in Dohaproviding continuous reporting throughout the Summit.