Doha: The Second World Summit for Social Development opened here on Tuesday with world leaders adopting the Doha Political Declaration, a renewed global commitment to fight poverty, promote decent work, and strengthen social inclusion to help get the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.
Three decades after the landmark 1995 Copenhagen Summit, the gathering in the Qatari capital struck an urgent tone, warning that widening inequality, intensifying climate shocks, and the absence of social protection for nearly two billion people have derailed progress toward the 2030 Agenda.
The Doha Declaration calls for treating poverty eradication, decent work, and social inclusion as interconnected goals. It urges countries to expand universal, gender-responsive social protection systems and ensure equitable access to education and healthcare. The declaration also emphasizes safe and inclusive digital transformation, countering online disinformation and hate speech, and empowering marginalized groups — including youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples — to actively shape decisions that affect their lives.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the declaration as a “booster shot for development,” urging governments to unite behind a “people’s plan” to reduce inequality and reform global finance. “This summit is about hope through collective action,” he said. “Let’s deliver the bold people’s plan humanity needs and deserves.”
President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock called on leaders to “go the last mile,” warning that economic growth alone has not ended poverty. She identified climate change as the “single largest obstacle” to social progress and called for fairer trade, debt relief, and greater access to technology and finance, with women at the center of decision-making.
Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said social development was an “existential necessity,” highlighting his country’s efforts to create opportunities at home and extend support to poverty reduction abroad. He also stressed that peace and stability — including support for Palestine and an end to the Sudan crisis — are essential to sustainable social progress.
Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), reminded delegates that more than 800 million people still live in extreme poverty, noting how minor shocks such as illness or job loss can push millions deeper into hardship.
The opening panel, titled “Strengthening the Three Pillars of Social Development,” focused on translating commitments into concrete action. Chaired by leaders from Montenegro and Kyrgyzstan and moderated by International Labour Organization chief Gilbert Houngbo, the session spotlighted the need for accountability and financing.
Juan Somavia, who chaired the 1995 Copenhagen summit, welcomed the new declaration but cautioned against inaction: “We are very good at being ambitious, less so at how to implement.” Other speakers echoed the call for fair taxation, decent jobs, inclusive growth, and meaningful youth participation.
Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International, highlighted the widening gap between the rich and the poor. He said that in the last 10 years, the world’s top billionaires have doubled their wealth while hundreds of millions of people worldwide live in extreme poverty and it cannot be eradicated without addressing its structural causes, including unjust tax systems, privatization of public services, and wage inequality. “We must look at taxing the super-rich,” he urged, calling for Governments to reinvest in public goods and services and ensure living wages for all workers.
Representing the voice of youth and persons with disabilities, Esther Nagtey, Youth Fellow of the International Disability Alliance, reminded participants that 16 per cent of the world’s population continues to be among the most marginalized.
The summit’s message was clear: global consensus now needs to translate into coordinated implementation and financing that reaches people on the ground. As the meeting continues, leaders will deliberate on next steps through plenary discussions, civil society forums, and a special session on “United for Social Justice.”
