The cooperative movement at the service of social medicine
The II World Summit for Social Development concluded on Thursday in Doha with a firm demand to member countries: move quickly from commitments to practical implementation. The primary goal is to ensure that the Doha Political Declaration translates into quantifiable progress across three fundamental pillars: poverty reduction, the creation of decent work, and the promotion of social inclusion.
The Summit, which brought together more than 40 Heads of State and Government, over 230 ministers, and nearly 14,000 attendees, marked a milestone with its focus on action.
In the closing press conference, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, stated that the Summit represented a "deliberate shift" in global strategy, moving from identifying shortcomings to implementing proven solutions.
Baerbock recalled that the Copenhagen Summit taught 30 years ago that social development and inclusion are "essential for strong societies" and that the commitment was "to leave no one behind." She underscored a key point: "Social development is not a 'nice-to-have' or an act of charity. It is in the self-interest of all countries."
Furthermore, she warned that current hunger and poverty are not the result of scarcity, but of conflicts, inequality, and political failures. The President emphasized that one of the biggest challenges is not the amount of money, but "how it is invested."
Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, captured the sentiment of the week, which reflected the urgency expressed by civil society, trade unions, community leaders, businesses, and youth representatives.
"The message has been clear: people expect us to deliver answers, not just declarations," Mohammed stated. She made it clear that the Doha Political Declaration "is not a document to be shelved," but a concrete commitment to place people at the center of sustainable development. Implementation will now focus on accelerating poverty reduction, the creation of real jobs, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
In addition to the plenary sessions, the Summit organized more than 250 "solutions sessions" for the exchange of practical approaches to expand social protection, improve access to healthcare and education, and support work that provides dignity.
Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani of Qatar affirmed that hosting the Summit in her country reflects the conviction that equality, dignity, and inclusion are fundamental to peace and prosperity. "Investing in people is the most sustainable investment a nation can make," she noted.
She highlighted Qatar's social spending and its international partnerships and stated that the priority now is to ensure that commitments move from paper to policy, supported by international cooperation and innovative financing. "The outcomes of this Summit provide a solid foundation," she asserted, emphasizing that "what matters most now is implementation."
To support countries in the task of translating commitments into concrete actions, the UN regional economic commissions will play a key role.
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