World Leaders Adopt Doha Declaration for Social Justice

The opening session of the Second World Forum for Social Development.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and widening social divides, global leaders at the Second World Summit for Social Development on Tuesday adopted the Doha Political Declaration, signalling renewed resolve to advance justice and inclusion worldwide.

The adoption of the Declaration marks a shared pledge by governments to tackle poverty, create decent work, combat discrimination, expand access to social protection, and safeguard human rights.

It also underscores that social development is not only a moral imperative 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 organisations, youth leaders, civil society, and experts — convening over 14,000 stakeholders under one roof.

Delegates gathered in Doha’s expansive Qatar National Convention Centre, where meeting rooms spilled into networking spaces filled with students, activists, and community leaders — a clear reminder that social development is not the work of governments alone.

The Doha Political Declaration

Named after the city of its adoption, the Doha Political Declaration renews leaders’ commitment to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and the 2030 Agenda, centring social development on three mutually reinforcing pillars: poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social inclusion.

It links social justice to peace, security, and human rights; vows to leave no one behind; and urges urgent climate action under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, reaffirming the Rio principles — including common but differentiated responsibilities.

Financing is a key focus: the Declaration reaffirms the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as integral to the 2030 Agenda, welcomes the Sevilla Commitment to renew the financing framework, and calls for stronger, more representative multilateral institutions.

Follow-up efforts will be led by the Commission for Social Development, with a five-year review process to assess progress and close gaps.

Go the last mile, leave no one behind

Speaking after the adoption, President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock emphasised that Doha must “go the last mile” to ensure that no one is left behind.

Reflecting on progress since Copenhagen, she noted that while unemployment has fallen globally and extreme poverty has declined, disparities remain stark — particularly for women and young people.

She cautioned that economic growth alone has proven insufficient to overcome structural inequalities, stressing that climate change, demographic pressures, and conflict continue to compound social vulnerabilities.

Ms. Baerbock called for holistic, interconnected solutions that address poverty, hunger, education, health, climate resilience, and gender equality together — underscoring that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are “not 17 separate targets, but an integrated framework where advancement in one area accelerates progress in others.”

“These are not siloed agendas; they all underscore that human security is the foundation of global security,” she said.

A booster shot for development

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that progress on the SDGs is too slow, with several targets stalled or reversing.

“The Doha Political Declaration represents a booster shot for development,” he said, describing it as a “people’s plan” focused on expanding universal social protection, ensuring equitable access to health and education, creating decent work, and closing the digital divide.

He also stressed the urgency of reforming the global financial architecture to ensure fair access to development and climate finance, particularly for developing countries facing debt distress.

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

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