The Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar

The State of Qatar hosted the UN’s Second World Summit for Social Development from 4-6 November 2025, convening over 40 Heads of State and Government and 230 ministers and senior officials. Thirty years after the inaugural edition in Copenhagen, the global community gathered to renew their commitment to social progress amid worsening inequalities, demographic shifts, and fast-paced technological transformation.

The Doha Political Declaration, adopted at the summit, demonstrated a shared pledge by global governments to tackle poverty, create decent work, combat discrimination, expand access to social protection, and protect human life.

In a major milestone, the summit marked the first official gathering of the UN General Assembly to convene outside its traditional locations of Geneva and New York.

Here were the highlights from the summit.  

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, spoke during the opening session, sharing the State of Qatar’s support for social development

On 4 November 2025, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered a speech during the opening session of the summit.

His Highness’ highlighted the State of Qatar’s “keenness to advance social development, support international efforts to eradicate poverty, increase job opportunities, and promote all that safeguards human dignity and social inclusion – ultimately paving the way toward a future of greater prosperity and justice for all”.

His Highness stated that the Doha Political Declaration “reaffirms a political, economic, and ethical vision for social development grounded in human dignity, human rights, equality, and peace”, and that it “will lend new momentum to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and will serve as a roadmap and solid foundation for addressing social development issues”.

His Highness also noted, “Social development can never be achieved without peace and stability,” calling upon the “international community to redouble its efforts and extend support to the Palestinian people in reconstruction”, and for a “political solution that guarantees Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity” after the “collective shock at the horrific atrocities committed in the city of El Fasher”.

His Highness’ full speech can be found here.   

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser underscored the importance of education in advancing social progress

Her Highness delivered a keynote address during the UN’s Second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar, stressing that education is the core pillar for development and that education is not a luxury nor a privilege, but a right.

Her Highness stated: “Education, above all else, is an existential matter about a nation’s existence or demise. To achieve a real sustainable development as we envision it, education must be recognized as equal in importance to development itself, advancing together on the same track.”

On the sidelines of the summit, Qatar met global partners to discuss a shared vision of social progress

Alongside the World Social Summit, the State of Qatar held several sideline events and participated in sessions with international partners:

• HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maryam Al Misnad, inaugurated the First Leaders’ Meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
• Her Excellency organised a side event on women’s role in peacebuilding, focusing on voices from the Arab world.
• HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Al Thani, hosted a high-level dinner discussion for women leaders participating in the summit, focused on the role of women’s leadership and digital innovation in sustainable development.
• Her Excellency participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Copenhagen to Doha: Tackling Vulnerability and Exploitation Linked to Sport”, organised by the State of Qatar in partnership with the Principality of Monaco, the International Organisation of Migration, and Mission 89.