3 October 2025 - As the UN General Assembly (GA) welcomed presidents, prime ministers and premier public intellectuals, the halls of UN Headquarters in New York echoed with the dignity and urgency of what we’ve achieved and what more needs to be done. But did you know that beyond the High-Level Week, six Committees of the General Assembly meet over the coming months to address pressing priorities and debate the details? Learn more about two of the Committees that UN DESA is supporting substantively.

Second Committee – Economic and financial issues

The Economic and Financial (Second) Committee of the GA, chaired by H.E. Ambassador Lamin B. Dibba (Gambia), will begin its substantive work with the General Debate on Monday, 6 October.  This year, the work of the Second Committee will be guided by the overarching theme "Five years to 2030 – Multilateral solutions for sustainable development.” 

With only five years remaining until the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the urgency to accelerate progress through multilateral cooperation is greater than ever. While some areas have seen advancements including poverty reduction, improvements in child mortality, and increased access to electricity, progress is lagging on many other targets. Ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, worsening climate change impacts, and inadequate financing for development are just some of the key obstacles towards progress. To help inform its discussion, the Committee will hear a keynote address by Professor Leonard Wantchekon, Professor of Political Economy, Politics and International Affairs of Princeton University.

 The Committee is expected to negotiate approximately 40 draft resolutions, normally concluding this work by late November. While consensus remains a valued tradition, geopolitical dynamics have increasingly challenged this approach in recent years. The Group of 77 and China continue to play a central role in drafting resolutions, with facilitators from major negotiating groups working to build consensus. 

Meeting in the wake of the adoption of the Sevilla Commitment at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), the resolutions under the agenda items on macroeconomic policy questions and financing for develpoment follow-up offer a first opportunity to operationalize the outcomes of FFD4. On trade and development, discussions will reflect on the 16th Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) to be held from 20 to 23 October 2025 in Geneva. The negotiations in the Committee will take place as discussions in the ad hoc informal working group on mandate review get under way, with the UN80 initiative forming backdrop to the Committee’s work.

Third Committee - Social, humanitarian and cultural issues

The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly will deliberate on a wide range of issues related to social development during its 80th session. While much progress has been made since the landmark World Summit for Social Development in 1995, the Committee emphasized that progress remains fragile and uneven, particularly in the wake of multiple crises and persistent inequalities.

In his reports to the Committee, the UN Secretary-General underscored the urgency of renewed global commitment to accelerate social progress. The World Social Report 2025 warns of a growing social crisis marked by economic insecurity, persistent inequality and declining trust. It calls for a new policy consensus based on equity, economic security and solidarity, as essential to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Committee has considered several thematic reports, including:

  • Ageing and older persons: The report on the follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing urged Member States to strengthen care and support systems, tackle age-based discrimination and invest in lifelong learning and digital literacy. It also highlighted the need to adapt labour markets to demographic realities. Older persons should be recognized as contributors as well as beneficiaries of social and economic life.
  • Families and climate change: As part of the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the Secretary-General highlighted how climate change impacts family well-being, from food and water insecurity to increased risks of child marriage and gender-based violence. Families, as food producers, educators, consumers and advocates, play a critical role in climate action. The report called for policies that strengthen families’ resilience to climate shocks and support sustainable choices.
  • Social inclusion: The report on Promoting Social Integration through Social Inclusion emphasized the role of social capital—trust, networks and participation—as a transformative strategy to reduce multidimensional poverty and build inclusive societies. Member States were encouraged to foster participatory governance, support community-driven initiatives and invest in intergroup collaboration.
  • Cooperatives in social development: The report on cooperatives highlighted their proven ability to generate decent work, promote social inclusion, and strengthen local economies. With the International Year of Cooperatives (2025) under way, the Secretary-General urged Member States to integrate cooperatives into national development plans, reform cooperative laws, and support education and training for cooperative members.

In addition, the Committee also considered forthcoming reports on:

  • Implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly
  • Policies and programmes concerning youth
  • Status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

These deliberations reaffirm that accelerating social progress will require bold policy action and collective commitment. The Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Doha from 4 to6 November 2025, will serve as a pivotal moment to translate these discussions into concrete commitments that advance dignity, justice, and opportunity for all.

For more information:
General Assembly Second Committee 
General Assembly Third Committee