As Doha Summit Opens, World Leaders Adopt Political Declaration, Commit to Advancing Social Justice, Equality, Sustainable Development

As Doha Summit Opens, World Leaders Adopt Political Declaration, Commit to Advancing Social Justice, Equality, Sustainable Development

Note: Full coverage of today's meetings will be available after their conclusion.

DOHA, QATAR (4 November) - Global leaders meeting at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar today adopted a landmark pledge to build a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future for all people.

The three-day Summit, held from 4 to 6 November under the auspices of the UN General Assembly, brought together Heads of State and Government, ministers, heads of international organizations, youth, civil society and delegates from around the globe to renew their commitment to ending poverty, reducing inequality and advancing social progress.

By adopting the Doha Political Declaration(document A/80/L.5) by consensus, countries agreed to step up efforts to deliver on the promises made 30 years ago at the first Social Summit in Copenhagen and to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Declaration renews and expands the 1995 commitments to meet today's complex challenges, strengthening action on the interlinked pillars of poverty eradication, decent work and social inclusion. It calls for universal, gender-responsive social protection and equitable access to health and education while emphasizing the need to counter misinformation and hate speech that threaten democratic values.

The Declaration also highlights the importance of safe and inclusive digital transformation and ensures that youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and other marginalized groups are meaningfully engaged in shaping policies that affect their lives.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, recalled that the 1995 Copenhagen gathering was "a moment of moral clarity", affirming that "true development isn't about prosperity for the few - it's about opportunities for the many". While over a billion people have been lifted from poverty and access to health, education and social protection has expanded, he warned that today's world faces "high uncertainty, divisions and widespread suffering".

Doha Political Declaration 'Booster Shot for Development'

Hunger, poverty and displacement persist, and the world is "not moving fast enough" on climate and the SDGs. Calling the Doha Political Declaration "a booster shot for development", he urged a "people's plan" to fight inequality, create decent jobs, reform global financing and foster unity. "This Summit is about hope through collective action," he said, adding: "Let's deliver the bold people's plan humanity needs and deserves."

Annalena Baerbock (Germany), President of the General Assembly, urged leaders to "go the last mile" to build a fairer world where "no one is left behind". She recalled that "Copenhagen taught us that social development and inclusion are essential for strong societies", while Doha must "end social injustice and guarantee dignity for everyone". Despite major gains - unemployment at 5 per cent and extreme poverty halved - she warned that "economic growth alone has been insufficient to pull people out of poverty".

Climate change, she said, "is the single largest obstacle to social development", threatening to push millions into food insecurity. Stressing that social, economic and environmental challenges are "interconnected", she called for debt relief, fairer trade, wider technology access and equal representation. "Everyone benefits when women are at the top designing, building and creating systems," she said. "We must level the playing field for all - once and for all."

Social Development 'Not a Choice - an Existential Necessity'

Representing the host country, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, said that "social development is not a choice - it is an existential necessity". Qatar, he affirmed, stands ready to support international efforts to eradicate poverty, expand job opportunities and uphold human dignity for a fairer future. Highlighting national initiatives, he cited the Ministry of Family and Social Development's 2024-2025 strategy, "From Care to Empowerment", aimed at fostering communities based on equal opportunity. Internationally, Qatar will continue to combat poverty and inequality through the Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Charity.

He stressed that the "bare minimum" is to uphold existing commitments, urging action to close implementation gaps from Copenhagen and to build partnerships for creative solutions. "It is impossible to achieve social development without peace and stability," he said, calling for support to reconstruction and basic needs in Palestine "until justice is administered" and for an end to atrocities in Sudan.

Lok Bahadur Thapa (Nepal), President of the Economic and Social Council, warned that over 800 million people live in extreme poverty and nearly 2 billion lack social protection. "Even a minor setback - sudden illness, the loss of a job or a climate induced disaster" can thrust millions of others into poverty as well, he said, urging renewed global commitment to inclusive development and tangible progress for all.

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