UNESCO leads Global dialogue on building Inclusive societies at WSSD2

Education at the hearf of inclusive social development

Recognizing education as a cornerstone of development , UNESCO joined the session "Education Policies and Initiatives to Align Labour Market Needs ," organized by Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The discussion focused on aligning education with labour-market needs amid rapid economic and technological change , underscoring education's role in social justice , human development , and employability , and emphasizing the recognition of qualifications and certificates to broaden employment opportunities and facilitate academic mobility .

In collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and Majmaah University, UNESCO participated in a Solutions Session titled "Empowering Social Development through Higher Education Efforts: Scalable Leadership Solutions from LEAP-FAST."

The session examined how higher education can drive poverty reduction, inclusive employment, and equitable opportunity . Participants discussed strategies to embed systems thinking, collaborative governance, and inclusive innovation into academic leadership pathways, and highlighted opportunities for regional adaptation and partnership.

The transformative potential of AI for Public Good.

UNESCO co-organized the session "Unlocking Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact" with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Executive Bureau, and the UAE Ministry of Community Empowerment. The session explored the transformative potential of AI in reshaping social services, labour markets, and civic participation while mitigating risks related to bias, exclusion, and inequality.

The discussion launched a Pact on AI for Social Inclusion , outlining actions that Arab Ministries of Social Affairs can collectively pursue to harness AI for the public good . The initiative aligns with UNESCO's global Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021), emphasizing that technology must serve humanity , by protecting human rights , strengthening inclusive governance , and ensuring that no community is left behind .

Equitable access to public service

Continuing its work to advance inclusive, rights-based social development, UNESCO joined the session "Our Future is Public: Public Services for Social Development." Bringing together government officials, the ILO, partners and civil society, the discussion reaffirmed the centrality of state-led public services to social justice and human rights, calling for renewed investment in education, health and sanitation.

UNESCO underscored that equitable access to public services requires modernizing workforce capacities, strengthening sustainable financing, and fostering partnerships grounded in solidarity rather than profit. The dialogue marked a critical step in reimagining public institutions as vehicles for inclusion, resilience, and sustainable development.