The adoption of the Declaration marks a shared commitment of governments to address poverty, create decent work, combat discrimination, expand access to social protection and protect human rights.
It also emphasizes that social development is not only a moral imperative, but also a precondition for peace, stability and sustainable growth.
The Summit has brought together more than 40 Heads of State and Government, 170 representatives at ministerial level, heads of international organizations, youth leaders, civil society and experts, bringing together more than 14,000 stakeholders under one roof.
Delegates gathered at the sprawling Qatar National Convention Center in Doha, where meeting rooms were spread across 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 name of the city of his adoption, the Doha Political Declaration renews leaders’ commitment to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and the Agenda 2030focusing 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, promises to leave no one behind and calls for urgent climate action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreementreaffirming 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.
Travel the last kilometer, don’t leave anyone behind
Speaking after adoption, President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock stressed that Doha must “make the last effort” 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 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) “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
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres He 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.
