For 30 years, the world has been working to realize the ambitious principles outlined in the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. Yet, the journey to social equity remains uneven, with a glaring gap between the Global North and South. This disparity is especially harsh for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), where access to essential social services, like pensions, labor programs, and targeted assistance, is limited. These nations face unparalleled hardships, lacking the coordinated efforts to influence policy and build robust, resilient safety nets that could transform civil society and empower their people.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed and deepened these inequalities, amplifying the social protection gap between high- and low-income countries and exacerbating gender disparities. According to the UNDP, the toll on developing economies was severe, with income losses totaling around $220 billion. Despite global progress, the International Labor Organization reports that over 4 billion people still lack adequate social protection—a stark reminder of the work to be done.
The time has come for a new narrative, a comprehensive framework to harness scarce resources and deploy them where they are needed most. We can build safety nets that protect and empower by renewing commitments to social assistance, pensions, labor programs, and targeted services. Social protection and labor policies are proven drivers of sustainable, inclusive growth. They foster social cohesion, enable reform, stimulate demand, and create productive assets at every level—community, household, and individual.
A pivotal moment in this ongoing journey occurred on July 16, 2024, during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations Headquarters. A draft resolution, A/78/L.93, titled “Modalities of the World Social Summit,” was introduced in the General Assembly Hall, setting the stage for the “Second World Summit for Social Development, Qatar Nov 4-6, 2025”. This announcement united diverse social development organizations worldwide, including NGOs, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, youth representatives, faith-based organizations, academic institutions, workers, employers, and the private sector. United in purpose and committed to gender balance, they established the “NGO Coalition for Social Development.”
This NGO coalition for Social Development is more than just a Coalition; it is a mechanism of words and actions. It symbolizes the harmonization of collaboration and resource mobilization, expanding memberships, and delivering better program outcomes that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 16, and 17. Her collective efforts aim to monitor and report on local impacts through Vulnerable National Reviews, ensuring that every voice is heard and every community is uplifted.
This is a call to action. We can shape an inclusive global social development agenda with social development stakeholders that ensures equitable, shared prosperity.
Let this mechanism inspire us to push forward, dream bigger, and build a world where everyone is included.
