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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has stressed the need for targeted actions by governments world over to help over 400mn people to escape poverty in its latest report published ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development ( WWSD) 2025 being held in Doha.At press conference during the WWSD today, Haoliang Xu, UNDP acting administrator said that rethinking traditional poverty measures by defining 'prosperity floors' can help vulnerable communities cope with shocks without falling back into poverty. 411mn people worldwide could move from poverty to basic security by 2030 if governments adopt context-specific ‘prosperity floors’ and focus on job-intensive growth, adaptive social protection systems and policies that increase wagesXi said : “Crossing a $3-a-day threshold is not enough if families are still one emergency—one illness, job loss, or climate crisis—away from being unable to afford housing, food, and essential services. Our report demonstrates that, by 2030, 411mn people could move from poverty to basic security—if governments act together, and act now.”The report, titled Poverty-to-Prosperity Transitions highlights strategies to ensure not just poverty reduction but sustained prosperity for low-to-middle income households across the globe. According to the report, established poverty measurements identify people who cannot meet minimum needs. By contrast, a ‘prosperity floor’ identifies the minimum needs for people not only to subsist, but also to be able to withstand unexpected shocks such as a natural disaster or economic downturn.The report also points out that the new benchmark will not only track progress in escaping poverty but also help safeguard against future setbacks, ensuring people remain secure and resilient in the face of unexpected emergencies.UNDP analysis across 126 developing countries finds that more than one-third of people in developing countries live below their prosperity floor. This means these individuals remain vulnerable, with a single crisis threatening to push them back into poverty.The report cautions that relying solely on traditional poverty alleviation policies, such as cash transfers and cash-for-work programmes, will not sustain progress. Instead, UNDP urges governments to adopt a system-wide strategy that fosters job inclusive growth, adaptable social protection, and fairer income distribution to leave no one behind.Across every region, progress on poverty reduction has slowed, and disparities have deepened. While the share of people living in extreme income poverty has fallen globally, nearly 1.1bn people still experience acute multidimensional poverty, lacking access to education, health, and decent living standards.Two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries where income inequality has increased over the past decade. Poverty is increasingly concentrated in fragile and conflict-affected settings, and the effects of climate change and demographic pressures are compounding these vulnerabilities.

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."

At least 45,000 new jobs for women are expected to be created across the Arab region next year, an official of the UN Women announced today during a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the ‘Second World Summit for Social Development’, which will run until November 6 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).Speaking at the ‘Solutions Spotlight - Jobs, Skills & Care: Scaling Inclusive Employment for People-Centred Development’, Dr Moez Doraid, UN Women Regional Director for the Arab States, explained that employment generation for women in the Arab region is part of the ‘Surging Women’s Employment Initiative’ (SWEI) led by the UN Women and its partners.He said, “One of UN Women’s top priorities in the Arab region is to solve one of the most persistent problems, both in this region and globally, which is the low levels of women’s labour force participation. It’s a global problem, but in the Arab countries, it takes one of its most extreme manifestations: For the past three decades, women’s labour force participation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has stagnated at around 20%. That is nearly half the global levels.”Doraid pointed out that SWEI also aims to increase women’s labour force participation by “5 percentage points in five years” and also to address and overcome “a persistent paradox” in the MENA region, which is “the contrast between women’s capabilities that have advanced very rapidly primarily through educational attainment and their employment backlog.”Despite significant gains in education—where women now outnumber men in universities and make up 57% of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates—employment figures remain stubbornly low, Doraid lamented.“Women’s capabilities have advanced because women’s illiteracy has been halved in the last two decades. Today, there are more women than men enrolled in universities, and 57% of STEM graduates in the MENA region are women. However, when looking at the workforce, the average labour force participation rate for women across the region is only 20%. There are notable exceptions, such as Qatar, where the participation rate is 63%, nearly three times the regional average,” Doraid further explained.He said, “Women are increasingly represented in STEM education and entrepreneurship. For instance, in the MENA region, the percentage of women tech entrepreneurs surpasses that of Silicon Valley. Additionally, a significant growth area lies in the green economy, which addresses both environmental challenges and enhances women's employment opportunities.“And it covers the entire spectrum of the value chain, empowering women from access to finance to sales, including both in domestic and external markets. The third is the care economy because women constitute the majority of employees in this dimension, as well as care services, such as day care services. And we are doing that by addressing three dimensions of both overcoming obstacles and enabling women.”Doraid noted that SWEI’s approach spans macroeconomic policy, legal reform, and norm-shifting programmes, such as the ‘Dare to Care’ initiative, which encourages men to take on more domestic responsibilities. Currently, women perform “4.7 hours” of unpaid domestic work daily, compared to just “one hour” by men, he also said.He also urged governments and partners to adopt conducive macroeconomic policies, enforce laws, and support cultural shifts that allow women to balance family and career. After the panel discussion, Doraid took to LinkedIn to summarise the points he raised at the Solutions Spotlight event.“Women in the region remain vastly underrepresented in the labour market, despite being among the most educated in the world. SWEI tackles this paradox head-on, working to create 500,000 new jobs within five years and increase women’s employment by 5% by 2030.“The initiative combines evidence-based policy reform, legal change, and social norm transformation - backed by powerful partnerships with Arab governments, the EU, Spain, Germany, and the Islamic Development Bank. It also builds on positive momentum across the region, where 72% of fathers express a desire to spend more time with their children and 86% of policymakers support extended paternity leave - strong indicators of evolving mindsets toward shared care responsibilities,” he stated.Doraid added: “SWEI drives growth where women already lead in the Care, Green, and STEM Economies, and partners with over 700 private sector companies under the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) to open new pathways for women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.”Ends

On the opening day of the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global education and development organisation, convened two high-level sessions in partnership with global organisations to address some of the most pressing challenges facing youth and vulnerable communities around the world.EAA’s Silatech Programme, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), hosted a high-level session titled “An Introspective Look: From Challenges to Solutions for Advancing Youth Economic Empowerment Programming” The session will take stock of youth employability and employment programming and progress towards SDG #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. As part of this examination, the high-level event aims to identify meaningful solutions to move the needle forward on tackling youth unemployment through encouraging innovative approaches to decent work and social inclusion. The aim of the session is to highlight the importance of prioritising relevant and responsive youth employability and employment programmes and policies that respond to the major global shifts and realities of today and the future.Speakers included His Excellency Fahad Al-Sulaiti, Director-General of QFFD, Her Excellency Sheikha Hanouf Abdulrahman Al Thani, Director of International Organizations Department, MOFA Qatar, , Ms. Laura Thompson, ILO Assistant Director General for External and Corporate Relations, Mr. Laurent Biddiscombe, Executive Director for Global Client Solution, AFD, Dr. Issa Faye, Director-General, Global Practice and Partnerships, IsDB, Ms. Susana Puerto-Gonzalez, Head, Youth Employment Unit, ILO, Ms. Hayfa Al-Abdullah, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Director, QSTP,Ms, Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,Senior Vice President, Global Impact Initiatives, USCIB (US Council for International Business), and Ms, Carolin Vollmann, Head of Division in the International Department of the German Trade Union Confederationr, EAA. The panel also featured the voices of two youth changemakers, Sharon Odongo and Khalid Al Kuwari. Participants discussed how rapid technological shifts, climate change, and demographic transitions are reshaping labour markets, and underscored the need for adaptable, inclusive strategies that empower youth to thrive in evolving economies.**media[377313]**In partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Kenya, EAA’s Silatech Programme contributed to the high-level panel “Unlocking Skills, Employment, and Resilient Food Systems in Kenya.” The discussion explored how public–private partnerships and national programmes can promote economic inclusion, adaptive social protection, and green value chains.Moderated by Ms. Rania Dagash, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, the panel featured Joseph Motari, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (Kenya); Mr. Mana Al-Ansari, Chief Economic Empowerment Officer, EAA; Sheikha Haya Al-Thani, Deputy Director General of Planning, QFFD, Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Deputy CEO of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA); and Ms. Betty Ka, WFP Kenya Country Director.**media[377315]**Speakers highlighted youth innovative Economic Inclusion Programmes and the power of collaboration between governments, international agencies, and the private sector to expand employment, strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods, and move from protection to long-term prosperityMr. Mana Al-Ansari, Chief Economic Empowerment Officer at the Education Above All Foundation, Said: “The sessions held today reflect Education Above All Foundation’s commitment to advancing practical solutions that link education, employment, and social inclusion. Through our programmes, we are addressing critical issues such as youth unemployment, economic empowerment, and the resilience of communities affected by conflict and climate change. By partnering with strategic organisations, EAA continues to champion education as the foundation for dignity, opportunity, and sustainable development.”Through these sessions, the Education Above All Foundation reaffirmed its global commitment to advancing inclusive education, youth empowerment, and social protection. By connecting education to employment, inclusion, and dignity, EAA continues to drive innovative partnerships that leave no one behind, ensuring that education remains the cornerstone of social and economic transformation.For more information about EAA Foundation, visit www.educationaboveall.org

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met today with António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the most prominent topics on the Summit's agenda and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United Nations. They also discussed a number of regional and international issues of common interest. The meeting was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Chief of the Amiri Diwan, and a number of other senior officials.

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met with several leaders of friendly nations participating in the Second World Summit for Social Development on the sidelines of the summit today at the Qatar National Convention Centre. His Highness met separately with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; President Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo; President Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; President Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan; and President Jakov Milojević, President of the Republic of Montenegro. During the meetings, they exchanged views on the most prominent topics on the summit's agenda, particularly those related to supporting the summit's outcomes in the areas of poverty eradication, promoting social development, and economic transformation. They also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and their respective countries in various fields of cooperation, in addition to discussing a number of regional and international issues of common interest. The meetings were attended by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Head of the Amiri Diwan, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a number of other high-ranking officials.

When His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani opened the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, his words did more than mark a ceremonial beginning. They reframed the global conversation on what development truly means in an age of conflict, inequality, and fractured trust.The Amir’s central argument was unmistakable: social development is inseparable from peace. As he declared, “Social development can never be achieved without peace and stability. The lasting peace - unlike temporary settlements - is the just peace.”By linking the world’s moral imperatives to its political realities, he placed the cause of human dignity at the heart of Qatar’s diplomacy and at the center of the summit’s Doha Political Declaration. From the podium in Doha, the Amir called on nations to translate their lofty commitments into “tangible actions.” His remarks echoed through the assembly not as rhetoric but as a challenge — to turn the language of partnership into mechanisms that deliver education, health care, jobs, and safety for every community. He also reminded the world that solidarity loses meaning when it fails to reach those living under siege or amid war, naming both Palestine and Sudan as tests of our collective conscience.Qatar’s domestic story - its new 2025–2030 strategy, “From care to empowerment” — was presented as a model of inclusive growth rooted in human potential. Yet the broader message was global: social progress cannot exist in isolation; it demands justice, stability, and the courage to act where promises have stalled.As editors, policymakers, and citizens, we would do well to measure our success not by the eloquence of declarations but by the evidence of change. The Amir’s speech reminds us that the path to peace runs through the terrain of opportunity - and that the Doha Declaration must become not just another document, but a living instrument of transformation.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani patronised the opening of the Second World Summit for Social Development at the Qatar National Convention Center Tuesday.The opening ceremony was attended by Their Majesties, Highnesses and Excellencies, leaders of sisterly and friendly countries, heads of government, and participating delegations.**media[377301]**During the opening session, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was elected Chair of the Second World Summit for Social Development.His Highness the Amir delivered a speech in the opening ceremony, read as follows: In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Your Excellency the President of the UN General Assembly, Your Excellency the Secretary-General of the UN, Your Majesties, Excellencies, and Highnesses, Your Excellencies, Honourable Audience, May peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.Our hosting of this summit... reflects our keenness to advance social development, support international efforts to eradicate poverty, increase job opportunities, and promote all that safeguards human dignity and social inclusion.At the outset it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Doha, wishing you a pleasant stay.The State of Qatar takes pride in hosting this summit, which comes thirty years after the first Summit held in Copenhagen in 1995. It is an event that affirms the spirit of solidarity and international cooperation in addressing the challenges that hinder economic growth, and slow down the achievement of human development goals, which will threaten social peace.**media[377299]**Our hosting of this summit stems from our firm conviction in the importance of collective action on issues that should not be contentious in order to address common global challenges. It also reflects our 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.On this occasion, we value the tireless efforts of Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, which embody his well-known commitment to enhancing the work of the UN. We extend our appreciation to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs for its efforts in coordinating and preparing this summit.Qatar takes pride in its strong strategic partnership with the UNHonourable Audience, Social development is not a matter of choice-it is a fundamental necessity. As we commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the founding of the UN this year, this summit provides us with an opportunity to renew our commitment to its charter, to multilateral cooperation within its institutions, and to redouble our efforts to solidify the values of social development as an essential foundation for achieving security, prosperity, and stability for all.At the national level, Qatar has accorded special importance to social development and has achieved clear progress, as reflected in indicators issued by relevant international institutions. The State continues to work diligently in this regard-enhancing human development, improving quality of life, promoting prosperity and well-being, and advancing education quality, economic empowerment, healthcare, family welfare, and social protection.The Doha Declaration constitutes an ambitious document aimed at achieving the desired social development.The State, through the Ministry of Social Development and Family, has recently launched its 2025-2030 Strategy, under the theme: "From Care to Empowerment.” One of its main pillars is to build a cohesive society founded on justice, equal opportunity, and human empowerment- in line with the State’s strategies and Qatar National Vision 2030.At the international level, we recognise that the challenges facing realising social development-such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality-require collective cooperation and effective solidarity. Qatar takes pride in its strong strategic partnership with the UN, and has never faltered in fulfilling its commitments. It ranks among the leading supporters of the UN across various domains.Social development can never be achieved without peace and stability.The State of Qatar will remain an active partner in the international community and a supporter of social development efforts through its contributions and assistance to many countries and communities via Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Charity, and others.Honourable Audience, The minimum measure of seriousness in addressing humanity’s shared challenges — such as environmental and climate issues, poverty, displacement, and human rights — lies in honouring commitments.In the case of social development, this requires translating the pledges made by countries in the Copenhagen Declaration into tangible reality, by addressing implementation gaps and prioritising innovative solutions, effective partnerships, and persistence in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The Doha Declaration, adopted at this summit, is the fruit of diligent and dedicated work, as well as extensive consultations held in New York. It constitutes an ambitious document aimed at achieving the desired social development. We commend the valuable efforts of the Representatives of Morocco and Belgium to the UN for their sincere efforts in leading and facilitating the intergovernmental negotiations.We are confident that the Doha Declaration, which reaffirms a political, economic, and ethical vision for social development grounded in human dignity, human rights, equality, and peace, 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, particularly poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.We call upon the international community to redouble its efforts and extend support to the Palestinian peopleSocial development can never be achieved without peace and stability. We believe that the lasting peace — unlike temporary settlements — is the just peace. It is no secret that the brotherly Palestinian people are in dire need of all possible support to address the catastrophic consequences of the brutal Israeli aggression and to resist the establishment of an apartheid system in Palestine.We call upon the international community to redouble its efforts and extend support to the Palestinian people in reconstruction and meeting the basic needs of this steadfast people until justice is achieved and their legitimate rights are exercised on their soil and their homeland.It is high time to end the war in Sudan and reach a political solution that guarantees Sudan's unityIn the context of peace and stability, I cannot conclude this address without referring to our collective shock at the horrific atrocities committed in the city of El Fasher in the Darfur region of Sudan, and our unequivocal condemnation of these acts. Did we need further proof to understand that neglecting violations of States’ security, sovereignty, and stability, and turning a blind eye to civil wars and their atrocities inevitably leads to such tragedies. Sudan has endured the horrors of this war for two and a half years, and it is high time to end it and reach a political solution that guarantees Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.Honourable Audience, Our success will be measured by our ability to translate our commitments into tangible actions that achieve social development for all — especially in developing countries. Together, we can make this summit a pivotal milestone, ensuring that our deliberations lead to practical and effective steps that contribute to transforming the slogans of peace, social development, and prosperity into a tangible reality for all, without discrimination.In conclusion, I once again welcome you to Doha, wishing that this summit will achieve its envisioned objectives.Thank you.May Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.The opening ceremony was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi, a number of ministers and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the state, members of delegations, representatives of regional and international institutions and organisations, and guests.

His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met Tuesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development currently held in Doha.During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to support and enhance it.

His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met Tuesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi Dr. George Thapatula Chaponda, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently held in Doha.Discussions during the meeting dealt with cooperation relations between the two countries and means to support and develop them.

His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met Tuesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently held in Doha.Discussions during the meeting dealt with cooperation relations between the two countries and means to support and develop them.