World Summit for Social Development: Doha Declaration Adopted to Advance Global Social Agenda
Participants in the Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha, adopted the Doha Political Declaration, signaling renewed commitment to advancing justice and inclusion against a context of increasing geopolitical tension and widening social inequality.
The adoption of the Declaration demonstrates a shared pledge by governments to tackle poverty, create decent work, combat discrimination, expand access to social protection, and protect human rights. It emphasizes that social development is not only a moral imperative, but also a precondition for peace, stability and sustainable growth.
The Summit brought together over 14,000 participants, including more than 40 Heads of State and Government, 170 ministers, leaders of international organizations, youth representatives, civil society actors and experts.
The Doha Political Declaration renews commitment to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and the 2030 Agenda, and centers social development around three mutually reinforcing pillars: poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social inclusion. It links social justice to peace, security and human rights, and calls for urgent climate action under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, while reaffirming the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The text reaffirms the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as integral to the 2030 Agenda, welcomes the Sevilla Commitment to renew the financing framework, and calls for stronger and more representative multilateral institutions. Implementation will be followed up by the Commission for Social Development, with a five-year review to assess progress.
Speaking after the adoption, President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock stated that Doha must “go the last mile” in ensuring that no one is left behind. She noted that despite reductions in global unemployment and declines in extreme poverty, significant disparities persist, particularly affecting women and young people. She emphasized that the Sustainable Development Goals are “not 17 separate targets, but an integrated framework where advancement in one area accelerates progress in others.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that progress on the SDGs remains too slow, with some targets stalled or reversing. He described the Doha Political Declaration as “a booster shot for development” and a “people’s plan” focused on expanding universal social protection, ensuring equitable access to health and education, creating decent work, and closing the digital divide. He stressed the urgent need to reform global financial structures to ensure fair access to development and climate finance, particularly for countries experiencing debt distress.
