The United Nations will host the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, from November 4–6, 2025, marking 30 years since Copenhagen. The summit aims to renew global commitment to eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, and fostering social inclusion, aligning efforts with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
hirty years after the historic 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, the international community is preparing to gather once again to renew its pledge toward inclusive and sustainable social progress. The United Nations General Assembly, through Resolutions 78/261 and 78/318, has announced the Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 4 to 6, 2025.
This major global event — also referred to as the World Social Summit — comes at a time when the world is grappling with unprecedented social and economic challenges. From widening inequalities and demographic transitions to the disruptive impacts of rapid technological change, nations are being urged to rethink how social justice, equity, and human development can be achieved in a digital and interconnected era.
The 2025 Summit seeks to reignite the spirit of the Copenhagen Declaration, where 117 heads of state and government had agreed on ten key commitments to eradicate poverty, promote full employment, and foster social integration. The new Summit will serve as a follow-up to these foundational goals — but with a sharper focus on the realities of the 21st century, including climate change, automation, global migration, and the post-pandemic recovery.
At its heart, the Doha Summit aims to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the goals related to reducing inequalities, achieving decent work for all, and building resilient communities. Leaders will discuss how to strengthen global social protection systems, ensure gender equality, empower youth, and provide equal opportunities across all sectors of society.
“The world stands at a crossroads,” said a UN spokesperson announcing the resolutions. “We need to reaffirm that social development is not just a goal — it’s the foundation of peace, sustainability, and shared prosperity.”
Unlike the 1995 Summit, which laid down the philosophical groundwork for people-centered development, the 2025 gathering is expected to emphasize practical action and measurable outcomes. It will seek to align global and national policies with the pressing social realities of today’s world — from inclusive digital transformation to the creation of future-ready jobs and ethical AI governance.https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166263
A distinctive feature of the Doha Summit will be its broad and inclusive participation. Representatives from governments, international organizations, UN agencies, civil society, cooperatives, academia, and the private sector will convene to forge joint solutions for the world’s most persistent social challenges. This multi-stakeholder approach aims to ensure that policymaking reflects the voices of communities most affected by inequality and social exclusion.
The discussions are expected to explore how nations can enhance social protection floors, reform outdated labor models, and harness innovation to support equitable development. The Summit will also underscore the need to integrate social policies with environmental and economic agendas — recognizing that sustainable societies depend on a balance between growth, equity, and environmental responsibility.
As the countdown to November 2025 begins, anticipation is building that the Doha Summit could emerge as a turning point for global social policy, similar in significance to the 1995 Copenhagen meeting. For a world shaken by economic disparities, geopolitical tensions, and technological disruption, the event represents an opportunity to reclaim the shared values of dignity, fairness, and solidarity.
In reaffirming its commitment to inclusive social development, the UN hopes the Second World Summit for Social Development will inspire a renewed global consensus — one that puts people at the center of every decision, ensuring that, truly, no one is left behind.
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