3 November 2025 - “Thirty years ago, the world gathered in Copenhagen and made a promise: to put people at the centre of development. This November, we meet again—this time in Doha—for the Second World Summit for Social Development. This Summit comes at a critical moment,” said UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General, and Summit Secretary-General Li Junhua, pointing to widening inequalities, eroding trust and communities struggling with conflict and climate shocks. 

From 4 to 6 November 2025, world leaders will gather in Qatar for the Second World Summit for Social Development. This journey began in Denmark, in 1995, where 117 countries agreed to the groundbreaking Copenhagen Declaration for Social Development and its Programme of Action.   

Since then, the world has seen extraordinary economic and social progress. Over one billion people have escaped extreme poverty; access to healthcare, education and social protection has expanded; people are living longer and healthier lives; more women are able to join the workforce; and young girls can realize their hope for a future of opportunity and promise. 

But challenges remain. Growing shocks from climate change impacts, conflicts, or disruptions from changing patterns of trade, production and technology are fueling uncertainty and anxiety. People are growing increasingly insecure, with many people engaged in precarious employment or not earning a living wage that meets their needs. Fueling this insecurity is a growing skepticism of the willingness of governments to put their people first.

People across generations – younger and older alike -are searching for answers to both growing and persistent social development challenges. This Summit will be an opportunity to deliver a response – one that that ensures dignity, provides opportunities, inspires hope and is rooted in action. 

At the Doha Summit, Governments will adopt the Doha Political Declaration as the principal outcome. The declaration will reaffirm the centrality of eradicating poverty, promoting full employment and decent work for all, reducing inequality and enhancing social integration. The Declaration takes fully into account new and emerging issues that impact delivery of these objectives, such as digitalization and artificial intelligence, climate change and the global trend of eroding public trust in institutions, among other cross-cutting issues.

But the real success of the Summit will be measured by what happens after. By forging a new global consensus for accelerating social progress through multilateral cooperation, this Summit will ensure that people’s voices and engagement matter. Because in the end, development isn’t just about policies or politics — It’s about all of us.

“I invite you all to follow our efforts and join us in Doha, Qatar, from 4 to 6 November,” said Mr. Li. “Together, let us accelerate social development and make dignity and opportunity a reality for all.”

Learn more about the Summit: Second World Summit for Social Development 
View the full programme here using our online platform TeamUp. 
Follow Doha Solution and Studio sessions happening on the ground by browsing this site.
Be inspired by commitments made towards the Doha Solutions Platform for Social Development.
Follow efforts and deliberations live on UN Web TV.