The Second World Summit for Social Development,2025: Addressing the Gaps and Accelerating Progress

Abstract

The Second World Summit for Social Development (SWSSD) will be held in Doha, Qatar, 4–6 November 2025, to spark further action for social development by reinforcing humanity’s faith in global solidarity, so that, without leaving anyone behind, everyone bounces forward. By referring to the two draft declarations developed for the SWSSD, this editorial of the special issue succinctly discusses the social, economic and political circumstances that have compelled the call for the SWSSD to reaffirm the commitments of the first Summit for Social Development held in 1995 and to accelerate progress relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It then introduces articles relating to social development, poverty eradication, social protection, employment and decent work, social integration, climate crisis, digital divide, financing for social development and the SDGs. These articles broadly identify the gaps and suggest strategies/policies to address them. In addition, it introduces policy briefs developed by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development and the World Bank, and reviews of the two UN reports.