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The President of the Republic of Iraq Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, arrived in Doha Monday to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD), hosted by the State of Qatar from November 4 to 6.Upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport, Dr. Rashid and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by HE Director of the Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the State of Qatar. Mohammed Jaafar Al Sadr.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, arrived in Doha on Monday to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development, hosted by Qatar from Nov 4 to 6 .He was welcomed upon arrival at Hamad International Airport by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani hosted a luncheon banquet in honor of Their Majesties and Excellencies, including Heads of State, Prime Ministers, and senior officials attending the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, now underway in Doha. The banquet was attended by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi. Also present were Their Excellencies ministers, senior officials, representatives of regional and international organizations, and other distinguished guests of the conference.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for a halt to fighting in Sudan, warning that the crisis was rapidly deteriorating after paramilitaries overran a key city.Guterres urged the warring parties to "come to the negotiating table, bring an end to this nightmare of violence -- now"."The horrifying crisis in Sudan... is spiralling out of control," he told reporters on the sidelines of the World Summit for Social Development in Doha.At the end of October the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at war with the Sudanese army since 2023, seized control of the strategic city of El-Fasher, following an 18-month seige.Reports have emerged of executions, sexual violence, looting, attacks on aid workers and abductions in and around El-Fasher, where communications remain largely cut off."El-Fasher and the surrounding areas in North Darfur have been an epicentre of suffering, hunger, violence and displacement," Guterres said."And since the Rapid Support Forces entered El-Fasher last weekend, the situation is growing worse by the day," he added."Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped by this siege. People are dying of malnutrition, disease and violence."Guterres also said there were "continued reports of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights".The UN chief also warned against violations of the ceasefire in Gaza that halted two years of war in the Palestinian territory.Hamas reported fresh Israeli strikes in Gaza on Saturday, after Israel said three bodies it received from Gaza did not belong to hostages.That came after Israeli attacks killed more than 100 people last Tuesday, according to the Hamas-run territory's civil defence agency. Prior to that, strikes on October 19 killed 45 people, the agency said.Guterres on Tuesday said he was "deeply concerned about the continued violations of the ceasefire in Gaza."They must stop and all parties must abide by the decisions of the first phase of the peace agreement."

The State of Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to continue its efforts to promote social development in the world, whether through its membership in the UN Commission for Social Development or working with partners in the international community to ensure a decent life for all. This came in Qatar’s statement delivered by ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bint Seif al-Thani, the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations before the 54th session of the UN Commission for Social Development in the framework of the third item “Rethinking and Strengthening Social Development in the Contemporary World”. Sheikha Alia said in the statement that Qatar gave special importance to the social development represented in Qatar National Vision 2030. Qatar has a unique experience in the field of strengthening the institutional structure for Social Development which crystallised in the establishment of the Qatar Foundation for Social Action which undertakes the supervision and observation of many institutions concerned with social development such as the Qatar Foundation for Protection and Social Rehabilitation, Family Consulting Centre, Qatar Foundation for the Care of the Elderly and the Shafallah Centre for Children with Special Needs. According to the statement, the 2015 Human Development Report issued by the UN Development Programme has listed Qatar as the first Arab country with very high human development in the light of the progress that has been achieved in the areas of economic, social and environmental development. Qatar’s statement delivered by Sheikha Alia added that from the basis of Qatar’s belief in the role of youth and the importance of their participation in all spheres, it took the initiative to hold the Doha Youth Forum on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in April 2015, as well as the Youth Consultation organised by Reach Out To Asia (Rota) in co-ordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2015 as part of the ongoing preparations for the World Humanitarian Summit to be held in Istanbul in May 2016. The statement said that Qatari Silatech Foundation has also developed programmes to provide suitable work opportunities for youth in the region in order to improve their situation, as well as seminars to solve the phenomena of extremism and terrorism.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has commended Qatar for hosting the Second World Summit for Social Development, which comes 30 years after the Copenhagen Summit, noting that this reflects Qatar’s pioneering role as an important regional and international partner in supporting and advancing human development and promoting joint humanitarian action.This came in a speech delivered during the Second World Summit for Social Development on Tuesday, in which he praised Qatar's outstanding efforts in hosting, preparing, and organising this leading global event in co-ordination with the UN.He noted that this reflects Qatar’s high international standing and its active role in supporting global initiatives and dialogues related to human development and investment in people.He affirmed that the goals of this summit represent a key pillar of the GCC’s vision for social development pathways, which focus on promoting social justice, empowering various segments of society, and developing social protection systems -- objectives that align with the strategic orientations of GCC countries toward building more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable societies.He also reiterated the GCC’s support for all international efforts aimed at enhancing social development and achieving human well-being, stressing the council’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships and exchanging expertise in ways that contribute to achieving the summit’s objectives and amplifying the global impact of its programs and initiatives. This, he said, stems from the wise guidance of the GCC leaders and the council’s firm role as an active partner in global efforts to promote comprehensive human development. (QNA)

With the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 taking place in Qatar, world and football industry leaders have congregated at the Aspire Zone to take in the action from what is regarded as one of football’s premier youth tournaments. This included Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, who is in Qatar for the Second World Summit for Social Development taking place from 4-6 November. Speaking to the tournament’s Local Organising Committee, Baerbock stressed on the role of sports in bridging nations and promoting social justice: “The global community has convened in Qatar to highlight the importance of social justice in building stronger societies. The same applies to sports – you only win when you play as one team,” said Baerbock, who has previously served as Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs from December 2021 until May 2025. With 48 teams coming together to compete for the coveted FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 trophy, Baerbock believes that this tournament is a testament to the power of sports in uniting players and fans alike and celebrating global diversity. **media[378328]** “The U-17 World Cup showcases the power of playing as a team. On a football pitch, your socio-economic background doesn’t matter. What matters is that you score well and play as a team. It is through sports that the youth learn to embrace diversity and overcome challenges together. The world of politics could also learn from sports that you either win together or lose together,” said Baerbock. “With FIFA talent academies established around the world, and with the U-17 World Cup now turning into an annual event, more children and families will have access to football and sports. I believe sports, especially football, teaches children to honour rules. If we adopted the same mindset in international diplomacy, and played by the rules, we would have more peace in the world. Combining impactful social policies with sports is a win-win situation for all,” added Baerbock. The Second World Summit for Social Development is taking place in Qatar, thirty years after the landmark 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen. The Summit brings world leaders together to redefine strategies for social progress, strengthen global partnerships, and promote inclusive policies that foster equitable opportunities for all. The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 is taking place from 3-27 November at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex in Aspire Zone. Tickets and match schedule are available at: www.roadtoqatar.qa

Highlighting that education is the core pillar for development, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, United Nations Advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Founder of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF) noted Tuesday that there can be no development amidst discrimination, no stability with marginalisation, no prosperity amid exclusion.She was delivering the keynote address at the high-level session on 'Education as the Foundation of the New Social Contract for Social justice and Development' at the Second World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD2) being held at Qatar National Convention Centre.**media[377721]**Her Highness noted that the world must never accept the reality that there are 272mn out-of-school children, according to 2023 Unesco figures.She explained: “The grim figures and statistics carry with them a distressing message, one that appeals to the conscience of humanity. They call for our immediate mobilisation to transform policies and mandates into actions and achievements. Social development is not a fixed matrix, nor is it a set of hollow rhetoric, or a publicity stunt, or a façade masking veiled truths. Rather, it is the story of an individual who uplifts their community when given a fair chance, and who achieves the extraordinary when granted a genuine opportunity to innovate.**media[377720]**“Education is the core pillar for development; there can be no development without knowledge and no renaissance without an enlightened mind. Education is not a luxury, nor a privilege, nor a favour to be granted. It is a right, a responsibility, and a tool to liberate the mind, build human capacity, safeguard our values and generate ideas to reshape our world. To achieve a real sustainable development as we envision it, education must be recognised as equal in importance to development itself, advancing together on the same track.”The founder of EAA Foundation said that much is said about development, but people often refrain from closely examining its true essence.**media[377717]**“Its most prominent pillar is human beings themselves, who make up the heart of social development and its ultimate purpose. If we consider human beings our most valuable assets, then education remains the most enduring form of capital investment. They are the spring from which the streams of progress flow and the foundation upon which the pillars of sustainable development are erected,” Her Highness highlighted.She said that success in achieving sustainable development is not only reserved for those with more abundant resources, but for those who possess the wisdom to invest and manage it effectively.“This is the vision that drove us in Qatar to establish a path of development that places young people in their rightful role as shapers of the future, as learners, innovators, entrepreneurs, and citizens engaged in decision-making. This inspiring vision has led to remarkable achievements by Qatar: successfully utilising natural resources, empowering human capital, and generating meaningful job opportunities that replace traditional job duplication. With a deep-rooted belief that the Sustainable Development Goals are interconnected, Qatar has exerted every effort to instill the foundations of peace and the pillars of diplomacy as the cornerstones of its social development goals,” stressed the QF Chairperson.**media[377718]**She noted that education is the sum of all sectors saying: “There can be no economy, politics, healthcare, culture or even a sustainable ecosystem without education. And if we fail to advance education with innovative sustainable solutions that align with the accelerating technological advancements of our world, then no development project, be it economic, cultural, or social, will succeed, and we will remain trapped in the cycle of failure, regression, and powerlessness, and we will lose our footing in the landscape of development. To the extent that we invest in education, we can better shape a future for humanity.”“This is an ongoing effort that enables the individual to demand from their nations what is unattainable elsewhere: a sense of contentment in belonging and the legitimacy to dream: To dream of a future with unlimited potential, one that encompasses the breadth of the human condition, everything from the primordial cave to the mysterious frontiers of space, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. Let us dream of a more luminous dream—a shared all-encompassing dream: the dream of development,” Sheikha Moza.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered another keynote address at the session, highlighting that education is the foundation of a renewed social policy, anchored in human rights, social justice, and inclusion.

CEO of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work Rashid Mohammed Al Hamda Al Naimi held bilateral meetings on Wednesday with UN officials, including CEO of Save the Children Inger Ashing; Executive Director of UN Women Dr. Sima Bahous; and Deputy Executive Secretary for Programmes and Leader of the Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development Cluster at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Dr. Mehrinaz El Awady. **media[378358]** During the meetings, discussions focused on ways to cooperate in the areas of child protection and developing the skills of social and psychological professionals, as well as enhancing the role of women and empowering them in the social development process. The meetings also explored opportunities for the Foundation to participate in training and capacity-building programs, joint research projects, and coordination in future UN events and meetings. These meetings reflect the Qatar Foundation for Social Work's commitment to strengthening its regional and international partnerships and actively contributing to global efforts aimed at achieving social justice and inclusive development. As part of its participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development, the Qatar Foundation for Social Work organized a dialogue session entitled 'Fulfilling rights: inclusive access to education and health through targeted reforms,' in partnership with the Creators Union of Arab and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). **media[378359]** The session was held at the Qatar National Convention Centre and was moderated by Director of Therapeutic Services at the Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities Dr. Mohammad Telfat. Participants were Executive Director of the Shafallah Center Maryam Saif Al Suwaidi and Executive Director of the Al Noor Center for the Blind Mishal Abdullah Al Nuaimi. They discussed ways to ensure equitable access to education and healthcare for persons with disabilities, and the role of assistive technology and targeted reforms in promoting social justice and human empowerment. Maryam Saif Al Suwaidi highlighted the most prominent efforts of the Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities in supporting inclusive education and health through initiatives that combine vocational training, early intervention programs, and assistive technology, all of which contribute to developing the capabilities of persons with disabilities and improving their quality of life. She noted that the center launched the therapeutic program for Cerebral Palsy using the "Space Suit" as an innovative model in the field of motor rehabilitation, in addition to developing inclusive learning environments that rely on interactive technology to facilitate learning and access to therapeutic and educational services. Al Suwaidi emphasized that the Shafallah experience reflects the Qatar Foundation for Social Work's commitment to achieving equality and equal opportunities and promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the educational and health processes. For his part, Executive Director of the Al Noor Center for the Blind Mishal Abdullah Al Nuaimi discussed the advanced programs implemented by the center in the field of rehabilitation and inclusive education for people with visual impairments. He pointed out that the center is working on developing a system that integrates modern technologies such as 3D printing, smart Braille technologies, and digital talking programs, which contributes to enabling blind people to pursue their education and benefit from therapeutic and rehabilitative services with ease. He further said that the center places great importance on raising the efficiency of national staff and strengthening research and technical partnerships with universities and specialized entities, stressing that investment in assistive technology is a fundamental pillar for empowering blind people and enhancing their community participation. The session concluded with participants emphasizing the importance of investing in inclusive education and comprehensive healthcare as a key entry point for realizing social justice and promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society. The session also highlighted Qatar's pioneering experience in providing integrated education and health systems that take into account diversity and individual needs and reflect the state's firm commitment to the principles of sustainable human development.

Thirty years after the landmark 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, the global community will gather once again — this time in Doha, for three days from tomorrow (Tuesday, November 4) for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2). In a world facing growing inequalities, demographic shifts, and rapid technological transformation, the need for a renewed commitment to social progress has never been more urgent.Convening at the level of Heads of State or Government, WSSD2 aims to address the gaps and recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action and its implementation and give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Pre-Summit events will kick off today (Monday, November 3) with Qatar co-hosting the First Leaders’ Meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, with Brazil, and the Doha Solutions Forum for Social Development, with France.Building on the 10 Commitments of the 1995 Summit and the Copenhagen Declaration, the WSSD will accelerate action on poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, and social inclusion, ensuring that no one is left behind in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It aims to address persistent gaps, reaffirm global commitment to social development, and give new momentum to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.In Doha, world leaders will come together to redefine strategies for social progress, strengthen global partnerships, and promote inclusive policies that foster equitable opportunities for all. The goal: to build societies that are more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. The Summit will serve as a pivotal platform for dialogue, co-operation, and joint solutions, convening governments, international organisations, the UN system, civil society, co-operatives, academia, the private sector, and experts to strengthen international co-operation for inclusive social development.In his welcome message on the conference website, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani stated that this Summit will assess progress, identify implementation gaps, and reaffirm the collective commitment to advancing social development, ensuring that no one is left behind.“The State of Qatar consistently upholds its commitment to human-centred development, both nationally and globally. Through investments in education, health, social protection, and the promotion of productive employment and decent work for all, we continue to advance social justice and foster inclusion. We have championed the integration of social, economic, and environmental policies, adopting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that places people at the centre of our development.“The convening of this Summit in Doha reflects Qatar’s deep belief in multilateralism and global solidarity. As a long-standing partner of the United Nations, the State of Qatar has consistently supported global efforts to promote peace, social justice, and sustainable development. Over the years, we have hosted numerous high-level UN conferences, providing a platform for dialogue and co-operation on some of the most pressing global challenges. These efforts reflect our enduring dedication to the values and objectives of the United Nations and our vision for a world where prosperity is accessible to all.“As we prepare to welcome the world to Doha, we look forward to working closely with Member States, the United Nations, civil society, academia, and the private sector to advance social justice, rebuild trust in institutions, and shape a new course for global social development. The State of Qatar stands ready to contribute to this shared mission and to support a successful and transformative Summit,” His Highness the Amir added in his message.

With the process of selecting the next WISE Prize for Education winner already underway, the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) has emphasised a key challenge for applicants: identifying global solutions that improve learning and life outcomes. WISE, a global education initiative of Qatar Foundation, is offering $1mn in prize money for the top three winners of WISE Prize for Education, which will be given away at the WISE Summit in 2027. The finalists of the WISE Prize will be announced towards the end of this year. Each finalist will receive support to design and refine their solution. WISE Prize for Education is a global award programme that identifies outstanding education innovations and provides funding, mentorship, and development support. “The WISE Prize for Education 2026-2027 cycle centres on a single, unified challenge. The core challenge is to develop a practical solution that delivers significant and measurable improvements in learning and/or life outcomes. “The solution should strengthen learners’ ability to gain, retain, and apply essential knowledge and skills, leading to better opportunities for education, work, and wellbeing,” WISE said on its website. “The solution should represent an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) of an already successful approach, ready to be adapted, tested, or scaled in new contexts and meet the WISE Prize selection criteria,” added the statement. WISE has specified that applicants should have a demonstrated track record supporting their ability to address the challenge, and it assesses the credibility of the team and organisation behind the solution. It highlights that the solution addresses the education challenge through an evidence-based approach that has not been widely tested or implemented before, focusing on the novelty of the method. As for its feasibility, WISE has noted that the proposal sets out a credible plan for developing the solution, with clear resource allocation, timelines, and manpower planning over the 12-month MVP development period. As for scalability and sustainability, WISE suggests that the solution demonstrates realistic potential to expand over time, taking into account both the nature of the innovation and the team’s capacity to enable and sustain that growth. The solution should also have the potential to adapt to different geographic and social contexts beyond its original setting, making it relevant to a diverse global audience. Each finalist receives funding to develop their solution into a minimum viable product over 12 months, alongside tailored mentorship and coaching with intensive development support to help the solutions grow from MVP to scale. It includes one-to-one coaching, bi-monthly check-ins and in-person workshops to refine solutions and facilitate peer learning with other finalists. Through its network of local partners, including Education Above All and Qatar Science and Technology, winners may access additional opportunities to scale their solutions globally. This will also lead to connections to WISE’s local innovation partners that can further support the piloting and growth of solutions. In addition, it provides access to WISE’s 60,000+ global education innovators, leaders, and community, and great visibility at the WISE Summit next year, as the finalists present their solutions to a global audience of leading educators and policymakers. The application phase for the WISE Prize for Education is closed, and eligibility screening and shortlisting are currently underway. Each cycle, WISE works with an independent jury and expert committee drawn from government, civil society, the private sector, international organisations, and academia. The finalists for the award are expected to be announced towards the end of this year. 

HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met with Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Co-ordinator at the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Joyce Msuya, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha. **media[378828]** The meeting discussed co-operation relations between the State of Qatar and the United Nations, along with ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to a number of topics of common interest. **media[378829]**