Doha – New York: Europe and the Arabs

UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrives in Doha, Qatar, on Monday morning to attend the second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled for November 4-6.

In his address at the summit's opening session, the Secretary-General is expected to highlight the progress made since the first World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995, when governments pledged to make poverty eradication and the provision of full employment and social inclusion central to development.

The Secretary-General will also address the major global challenges facing the world today, including widening inequalities, unemployment, poverty, conflict, and widespread human suffering. During his participation in the summit, Guterres is also expected to participate in an event on education. According to the UN daily news bulletin, the Secretary-General is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. He is also expected to meet with Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al Missned, in addition to holding several other meetings.

The same source indicates that the Second World Summit for Social Development will bring together heads of state, ministers, civil society representatives, and experts to assess progress, address persistent gaps, and chart a new course forward.

At the heart of the meetings lies a simple yet crucial question: How can we ensure that no one is left behind?

Lee Junhwa, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, stated that the summit comes at a critical juncture. He added, "Inequalities are widening, trust is eroding, and societies are struggling amidst conflict, climate shocks, and rapid technological change. Yet, we are also witnessing extraordinary innovation, resilience, and solidarity. This is our opportunity to rebuild trust between governments and their people, and between nations." A Global Call to Action

Björg Sundkjárr, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, sees the summit as a “global call to action” at a time when more than one billion people still live in extreme poverty and 40% of the world’s population lacks social protection.

In an interview with UN News, she added that the meeting aims to renew confidence in collective progress – “confidence in our ability to make a difference.” This gathering follows months of intergovernmental negotiations in New York, culminating in the agreement on the Doha Political Declaration, which is expected to be formally adopted at the summit’s opening session.

Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, said that the Doha Declaration is the heart of the summit. She added: “It is a global call to action, renewing governments’ commitment to creating an enabling economic, political, social, cultural, and legal environment for achieving social development for all.”

A Pivotal Moment
With only five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the world is facing significant delays on many fronts. Progress in poverty reduction has slowed, gender equality has faltered, and many young people face a precarious future.

Ms. Sandhiar said that when UN Member States convened this summit last year, they sent a clear message that social development must once again take center stage.

Ultimately, it is about renewing our commitment to the core of the 2030 Agenda and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Participation and Foresight
Alongside the formal plenary sessions, a parallel program will add a participatory and forward-looking dimension to the summit. The Civil Society Forum, the Private Sector Forum, and the Interactive Solutions Arena will highlight innovations in employment, social protection, and building community resilience.

Youth and academic networks will take center stage, embodying the spirit of shared creativity and responsibility.

The new Doha Platform for Social Development Solutions—launched by host country Qatar in partnership with France—will highlight new commitments and initiatives, from policy reforms to partnerships, that address poverty, employment, and inclusion.