Kathmandu: The Second World Summit for Social Development concluded in Doha on November 6 with a strong call for countries to move from commitments to implementation, ensuring that the Doha Political Declaration delivers tangible progress on poverty reduction, decent work, and social inclusion.
President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock said the Summit marked a “deliberate shift” from identifying problems to acting on proven solutions. “Social development is not a ‘nice to have’ nor an act of charity. It is in the self-interest of every country,” she said, stressing that hunger and poverty stem from conflict, inequality, and poor investment choices.
More than 40 Heads of State and Government, over 230 ministers, and 14,000 participants took part in the Summit, which featured 250 solution sessions on social protection, healthcare, education, and decent work.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasized that people expect real results, saying the Doha Declaration “is not a document for the shelves” but a commitment to put people at the centre of sustainable development.
Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani of Qatar highlighted her country’s belief that investing in people is the most lasting form of progress, urging nations to turn commitments into concrete policies.
Regional UN bodies pledged support for implementation, focusing on areas such as affordable housing, youth employment, and inclusive growth across regions.
