World leaders adopt the Doha Declaration to enhance social development efforts

The adoption of the Declaration represents a joint commitment by governments to address poverty, create decent jobs, combat discrimination, expand access to social protection, and protect human rights. The Declaration also stresses that social development is not only a moral necessity, but also a precondition for peace, stability and sustainable growth.

The summit brought together more than 40 heads of state and government, 170 ministerial-level representatives, heads of international organizations, youth leaders, civil society and experts, bringing together more than 14,000 stakeholders under one roof.

Delegates gathered at the expansive Qatar National Convention Center in Doha, where meeting rooms overflowed into networking corridors packed with students, activists and community leaders, underscoring that social development is not the responsibility of governments alone.

Doha Political Declaration

The Doha Political Declaration renews leaders’ commitment to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on social development within three mutually reinforcing pillars: poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social inclusion.

The declaration links social justice to peace, security and human rights, pledges to “leave no one behind,” and urges urgent climate action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, reaffirming the Rio de Janeiro Principles, including common but differentiated responsibilities.

The issue of financing has been placed at the forefront: the declaration reaffirms that the Addis Ababa Action Agenda is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda, welcomes Seville’s commitment to renew the financing framework, and calls for stronger and more representative multilateral institutions. The Social Development Committee will be responsible for follow-up, with a five-year review process to assess progress and close gaps.

Leaving no one behind

Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, stressed in her speech after the adoption, the need for Doha to reach the “last mile” in ensuring that no one is left behind.

Noting the progress achieved since Copenhagen, she noted that unemployment has decreased globally and extreme poverty has declined, but disparities remain stark, especially for women and youth.

She warned that economic growth alone has proven insufficient to overcome structural inequalities, stressing that climate change, demographic pressures and conflicts exacerbate social vulnerabilities.

Ms. Baerbock called for comprehensive and interconnected solutions that address poverty, hunger, education, health, climate resilience and gender equality together, stressing that the Sustainable Development Goals “are not 17 separate goals, but rather an integrated framework where progress in one area accelerates progress in other areas.”

She said: “These are not isolated agendas, but rather they all confirm that human security is the foundation of global security.”

A stimulant dose for development

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that progress in the investigation was slow Sustainable development goals Very slow, with many targets stopping or falling back.

And he said: “The Doha Political Declaration represents a booster dose for development,” Describing it as a “people’s plan” that focuses on expanding universal social protection, ensuring equitable access to health and education, creating decent work, and bridging the digital divide.

He also stressed the urgent need to reform the global financial architecture to ensure equitable access to development and climate finance, especially for developing countries facing debt distress.

In closing, the Secretary-General emphasized that the Summit is about “hope through collective action” — and about mobilizing the political and financial will to deliver on the promise first made in Copenhagen.

And he said: “Guided by the Doha Political Declaration, let us deliver the bold people’s agenda humanity needs and deserves.”

More later….