Doha Social Summit: Path to fairer societies begins in the classroom

The Second World Summit for Social Development opened in Doha on Tuesday with the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration – a consensus pledge to accelerate action on poverty eradication, decent work and social inclusion, and to put the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.

Three decades after a landmark summit in Copenhagen, leaders in the Qatari capital warned that inequality remains high, climate shocks are intensifying, and nearly two billion people still lack social protection, pushing the world off course for the 2030 deadline.

Renewed commitment

The Doha Declaration renews and updates the 1995 Copenhagen commitments, calling for:

•    Treating poverty eradication, decent work and social inclusion as interconnected priorities.

•    Expanding universal, gender-responsive social protection, and equitable access to health and education.

•    Advancing safe, inclusive digital transformation while countering disinformation and hate speech.

•    Ensuring youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and other marginalized groups meaningfully shape policies that affect their lives.

Voices of urgency and unity

Secretary-General António Guterres called the declaration a “booster shot for development,” urging a “people’s plan” to reduce inequality, create decent work, reform global finance and rebuild unity. “This summit is about hope through collective action...let’s deliver the bold people’s plan humanity needs and deserves.”

Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly, urged leaders to “go the last mile,” warning that economic growth alone has not ended poverty. She named climate change as the “single largest obstacle” to social development and called for debt relief, fairer trade, broader technology access and full participation of women.

Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said social development is an “existential necessity,” pointing to national efforts to expand opportunity and international support for poverty reduction. He said peace and stability – including support for Palestine and an end to the crisis in Sudan – are essential conditions for social progress.

Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of ECOSOC, noted that more than 800 million people still live in extreme poverty and that even small shocks – illness, job loss or climate disasters – can push millions more into hardship.

Turning consensus into implementation

The opening panel, “Strengthening the Three Pillars of Social Development,” chaired by leaders from Montenegro and Kyrgyzstan and moderated by ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo, focused on turning commitments into action.

Juan Somavia, who chaired the 1995 summit, praised the declaration but stressed urgency: “We are very good at being ambitious, less so at how to implement.”

Netherlands Minister Mariëlle Paul underscored that jobs must be decent to lift people from poverty.

ITUC’s Luc Triangle called for fair taxation and global tax cooperation to fund social development and equip workers for digital and green transitions.

Oxfam’s Amitabh Behar highlighted rising inequality and urged taxing the super-rich and reinvesting in public services.

Esther Nagtey, representing youth with disabilities, stressed meaningful participation: “We are not the leaders of tomorrow – we are the changemakers of today.”

The road ahead

The Doha declaration sets a shared plan; leaders say delivery now hinges on financing, political will and coordinated implementation – moving from pledges to policies that reach people.

Education took centre stage on the opening day of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, where leaders, educators and youth advocates underscored that learning is the foundation of inclusive and resilient societies.

The vast Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) – filled with delegations, students, civil society groups and policymakers from around the world – reflected the scale of the moment.

Nearly 14,000 participants are registered for the Summit, which brings together governments, international organizations and community actors to shape a people-centred vision for social development over the next decade.

Education as the foundation

A high-level event Education as the Foundation of the New Social Contract, set the tone for the day. Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser delivered a keynote address urging renewed commitment to education as the starting point for justice and opportunity.

Citing the 272 million children currently out of school, many due to conflict, she said progress is impossible if exclusion persists.

“Education is not a luxury, nor a favour to be granted,” she said. “It is a right – and an existential matter for the future of nations.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reinforced that message, describing education as the “best poverty-fighting tool we have”. But he warned of widening inequalities, chronic underinvestment and a global shortage of trained teachers.

We must repair the “cracks in this vital foundation,” he said, calling for closing digital divides, strengthening teacher support and treating education not as a cost, but as a strategic investment.

Later, at a press conference, Mr. Guterres stressed that rebuilding education systems will be essential in crisis settings, including Gaza and Sudan.

“Education must be a central pillar of any project of reconstruction in Gaza,” he said.

Presidents dialogue

The session also included a high-level dialogue with the Presidents of Kenya, Albania and Palau, who stressed that education is an investment in human development and future growth.

Kenya’s President William Ruto called for aligning education with digital and job market needs; Albania’s President Bajram Begaj emphasized education as a universal right; and President Surangel Whipps of Palau highlighted the importance of ensuring access in remote and island communities.

Solutions across the Summit

Throughout the venue, solution-focused sessions explored practical pathways for expanding opportunity and social protection.

In a flagship session on universal social protection, Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif emphasized that social protection is “not charity, but a human right”, critical to fairness and resilience.

She highlighted progress in expanding coverage to informal workers and urged international financial reforms to safeguard public investment. “Practical solutions are within reach,” she said. “Let us turn commitments into action.”

New policy approach to poverty

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) introduced new analysis urging governments to move beyond traditional poverty thresholds.

Its policy brief proposes establishing “prosperity floors” – ensuring that people can not only escape poverty but remain resilient against shocks such as illness, job loss or climate-related disasters.

According to the analysis, 411 million people could move from poverty into basic security by 2030 if countries pursue job-intensive growth, adaptable social protection, and policies that improve wages and working conditions.

“With decisive, integrated action, we can break the cycle of vulnerability and deliver lasting prosperity. The past 30 years have shown that progress is possible,” said UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu, pointing back to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration that first set global commitments on social development.

UNDP Acting Administrator Xu speaks with UN News at the Summit.

Time for implementation

From youth dialogues to discussions on digital inclusion, nutrition, disability rights, decent work and ageing societies, participants returned to a shared message: progress is possible, but it must be rooted in real-world needs.

With leaders having adopted the Doha Political Declaration, attention now shifts to translating commitments into action and investment.