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Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs of the State of Palestine Dr. Samah Hamad emphasized that the State of Qatar, under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, represents a pioneering model of Moral and humanitarian commitment toward Palestine, defending the legitimate political, humanitarian, and developmental rights of its people.In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Samah Hamad said that the continuous support and genuine partnership with the State of Qatar are highly appreciated, as they embody the depth of Arab solidarity and a unified stance in defending Palestinian rights.She explained that Palestine's participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha aligns with its commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, with a focus on social protection and ensuring human dignity.The participation aims to highlight the unprecedented social challenges faced by Palestinian families under occupation and to develop innovative solutions to provide social protection and justice for Palestinian households, she added.Regarding the hosting of the Summit in the State of Qatar, she noted its significant implications, as Qatar is recognized for investing in human and social development and for successfully combining economic growth with social justice, strengthening its role as a hub for Arab dialogue on development.The Palestinian Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs underlined that the State of Qatar plays an influential role in supporting social protection programs, education, healthcare, and humanitarian response during crises. She noted that this support has contributed to enhancing the resilience of Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank through initiatives for orphans and low-income families, and through development programs implemented in cooperation with the Qatari government, Qatar Charity, and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).The Palestinian Ministry of Social Development collaborates with Qatari institutions, the United Nations, and civil society to ensure the sustainability of social protection programs through data exchange and a national social registry, ensuring coordination and avoiding duplication in aid delivery, while emphasizing economic empowerment, employment programs, and social and educational services, she added.Regarding the challenges facing Palestine, Dr. Samah Hamad explained that the ministry continues to provide emergency humanitarian, food, and cash assistance to families affected by war and occupation, including orphans, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, alongside implementing psychosocial support programs for children and affected families and activating a joint government operations room to coordinate relief efforts and ensure aid reaches all governorates, including isolated areas in Gaza.She also stressed the importance of building an integrated social solidarity network combining civil society, governments, and donor countries to strengthen social protection for the most vulnerable groups. She added that the issue of orphans remains among the most urgent, with continuous development of care, shelter, protection, and education centers for children in need, alongside unifying orphan data nationally to ensure integration and prevent duplication.On the summit's contribution to enhancing Arab integration, she said that it represents an opportunity to strengthen Arab cooperation in the social field, exchange experiences, and launch collective Arab initiatives to support countries affected by conflicts and crises, foremost among them Palestine, ensuring the protection of human dignity and promoting comprehensive development.Dr. Samah Hamad concluded the interview by expressing deep appreciation to the State of Qatar, its leadership and people, for its ongoing support of the Palestinian people at humanitarian, developmental, and political levels, while affirming Palestine's aspiration to continue expanding partnership with Qatar to strengthen Palestinian people's resilience and preserve their human dignity.

Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres affirmed that the Doha Political Declaration serves as a "booster shot" for development and a comprehensive, people-centered roadmap. He stressed that delivering on the declaration requires action in four priority areas: accelerating the fight against poverty and inequality; maintaining a strong focus on job creation and employment opportunities; mobilizing adequate financing; and upholding human rights and inclusivity for all.In his opening address at the Second World Summit for Social Development, His Excellency emphasized that the Doha Political Declaration can be translated into tangible outcomes by ensuring opportunities for all, grounded in the principles of social justice, full employment, and the preservation of human dignity.**media[377290]**He added that the convening of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha comes at a time when the world is witnessing profound challenges, including growing uncertainty, deepening geopolitical divisions, armed conflicts, and widespread human suffering. He stressed that millions of people continue to endure hunger, poverty, and unemployment, while many developing countries remain without the adequate support needed to confront these challenges.He explained that the Doha Political Declaration is, at its core, a people-centered plan to accelerate efforts to combat poverty and reduce inequality. It calls for comprehensive investments in food security, healthcare and education systems, water and sanitation infrastructure, adequate housing, clean and affordable energy, and robust social protection mechanisms, supported by reliable data systems to monitor progress.He called on governments participating in the upcoming 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Brazil to present concrete plans to reduce emissions over the next decade, while simultaneously advancing climate justice for communities on the front lines of the crisis, despite having contributed least to its causes.He also emphasized the need to invest in the future of the planet through concrete plans to reduce emissions and advance climate justice. He urged countries to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 to support climate action in developing nations, to double adaptation financing to at least $40 billion this year, and to capitalize the Loss and Damage Fund with substantial contributions.**media[377289]**The UN chief emphasized that expanding employment opportunities is a central pillar of the people-centered roadmap. He stressed the need for governments and the private sector to promote decent work and fair wages, facilitate the transition of workers from the informal economy to green, digital, and care-driven sectors, and invest in training, skills development, and lifelong learning. He also highlighted the importance of bridging the digital divide and ensuring access to digital and artificial-intelligence skills, guaranteeing equal opportunities for women, strengthening care systems, and protecting workers' rights.With regard to financing, he underscored the need to strengthen the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, expand private-sector financing, alleviate debt burdens, and reform the global financial architecture to better represent the priorities of developing countries. He also stressed the importance of increasing the participation of these countries in decision-making processes to ensure inclusive and equitable global economic governance.He emphasized that any people-centered plan must uphold human rights and inclusivity, warning against the continued exclusion of many groups, including women, minorities, migrants, refugees, older persons, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and youth. He stressed the importance of protecting democratic values, enhancing women's participation, eliminating discrimination and gender-based violence, and building societies resilient to misinformation and hate speech, with human rights serving as a guiding compass for justice and a better future for all.The UN Secretary-General noted that the first World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen in 1995, marked a moment of moral clarity in which the international community affirmed that true development is not about prosperity for a privileged few, but about ensuring opportunities for all. He highlighted that since then, more than one billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, global unemployment has fallen to historic lows, and access to healthcare, education, and social protection has expanded significantly. He added that life expectancy has risen, child and maternal mortality have declined, and the number of girls attending school, along with graduation rates for all students, has increased markedly.In conclusion, Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres stressed that the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha represents a critical opportunity to rekindle hope through collective action. He called for translating the Doha Political Declaration into concrete reality through a bold global plan that addresses shared challenges and secures a better future for all.

HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad inaugurated Monday the First Leaders’ Meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, held on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development Doha 2025, hosted by Qatar from November 4 to 6. In her opening remarks, HE Dr al-Misnad praised Brazil’s initiative in launching the alliance during its G20 presidency and the efforts of its co-chairs to turn the initiative into a practical framework serving humanity. She highlighted Qatar’s commitment to rapid response and development for peace, stressing that ending hunger and poverty is a shared responsibility requiring international solidarity and equitable partnerships. Dr al-Misnad noted that over 700mn people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, with conflicts, climate change, debt, and funding shortages threatening development in many countries. The minister also referred to Qatar’s support for the Sevilla Commitment adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, which calls for reforms to the global financial system and the creation of a fairer and more resilient global economy that ensures the right to development. HE Dr al-Misnad outlined Qatar’s national vision for 2030, focusing on a diversified, sustainable, knowledge- and innovation-based economy, human development, social protection, healthcare, and environmental preservation. She emphasised Qatar’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships to support multilateral co-operation and assist developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Highlighting Qatar’s partnership with the UN, she said the country is implementing the Doha Program of Action (2022-2031) to help least developed countries move towards sustainable development. Qatar, through the Qatar Fund For Development, has signed agreements with the UN Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries to finance two key projects: enhancing resilience and establishing a food storage system to address food insecurity. HE Dr al-Misnad added that Qatar provided US$4.8bn in foreign aid from 2022 to 2024, including US$1bn to fight poverty and hunger, US$1bn for education, health, water, and clean energy, and allocated around US$1bn from its Special Drawing Rights to IMF funds for poverty reduction and resilience. The country also contributed over US$30mn to UNDP’s Development Impact Accelerator Labs to support innovative community solutions. She reaffirmed Qatar’s belief in the UN as a platform for unifying efforts and strengthening multilateral action, and emphasised its continued support for UN Resident Coordinators and development programmes to ensure the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda. HE Dr al-Misnad concluded by reiterating Qatar’s commitment to a world free from hunger and poverty, emphasising that through partnership, investment in people, and a deep belief in solidarity, we can ensure no one is left behind, and that peace and development are shared rights for all.

Qatar, in partnership with the UN, hosted the First Leaders’ Meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty Monday, ahead of the second World Summit for Social Development 2025. The event brought together more than 350 delegates representing nearly 90 countries. Speaking at the opening, HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation, Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, said the meeting reflects Qatar’s long-standing commitment to development for peace and stressed that ending hunger and poverty is a shared global responsibility requiring international solidarity and partnerships based on justice and equality. HE Dr al-Misnad welcomed participants to what she called their second home, Qatar, and praised Brazil’s initiative to launch the alliance during its G20 presidency, highlighting the efforts of co-presidents in turning the initiative into a practical platform to serve humanity. She noted that over 700mn people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, with the effects of conflict, climate change, debt accumulation, and weak development threatening progress in many developing countries. She also welcomed the adoption of the Sevilla Commitment during the Fourth Financing for Development Conference, emphasising the need to reform international development systems and create a fairer, more resilient global economic environment. HE Dr al-Misnad outlined Qatar’s efforts under its National Vision 2030, including building a diversified, knowledge-based economy, investing in human capital, strengthening social protection and healthcare, and environmental preservation. She highlighted Qatar’s partnership with the UN in implementing the Doha Program of Action 2022-2031, aimed at empowering the least developed countries to transition toward sustainable development. As part of these efforts, the Qatar Fund For Development signed agreements with the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries to finance two major projects: building resilience and establishing a food storage system to tackle food insecurity. Dr al-Misnad emphasised Qatar’s belief in the UN as a central platform for coordinating multilateral efforts and reiterated the country’s commitment to working with all partners for a world free from hunger and poverty, stressing that through partnership, investing in people, and deep solidarity, no one will be left behind, and peace and development will be shared rights for all peoples. Meanwhile, UN General Assembly President, Annalena Baerbock, described global hunger as an “unacceptable humanitarian tragedy” and warned that rising global temperatures could push an additional 189mn people into hunger if temperatures rise by 2C, or up to 1.8bn if the rise reaches four degrees. She called on the international community to act urgently, noting that 673mn people suffered from hunger in 2024, while 2.3bn faced varying degrees of food insecurity. Brazilian Minister of Social Development Wellington Dias, co-president of the alliance, said the initiative has restored hunger and poverty to the global agenda, highlighting Brazil’s success in lifting 24.4mn people out of hunger and 7.6mn out of poverty since 2023 through evidence-based policies and inclusive social and economic initiatives. For her part, Spanish Secretary of State for International Co-operation, Eva Granados, also a co-president, praised the alliance as a model for international co-operation, noting that member countries lead with their national priorities while the international community provides co-ordinated support. She stressed Spain’s commitment to combating hunger with a rights-based, gender-responsive approach and announced plans to launch a new co-operation strategy on the right to food next year. The alliance has, within a year of its launch, fostered new partnerships in countries including Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Palestine, and Zambia, combining international financial institutions, UN agencies, donors, and NGOs to implement integrated national programmes addressing hunger and poverty through social protection, agriculture, nutrition, and climate adaptation under the Fast Track initiative launched nine months ago.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Monday with Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly, who is in Doha to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to strengthen co-operation between the two countries. They also exchanged views on developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories in light of the ceasefire agreement in the Strip, in addition to a range of issues of shared concern. HE Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to ensure the full implementation of the agreement, paving the way towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Monday with the visiting Commander of the US Central Command Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper.**media[377247]**The meeting discussed the close strategic relations between Qatar and the US and ways to support and strengthen them, primarily in the areas of military and defence co-operation. The two sides also discussed a host of topics of common interest. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Monday with Yemen’s Prime Minister, Salem Saleh bin Braik, who is visiting Qatar to participate in the World Summit for Social Development.**media[377246]**The meeting dealt with bilateral relations and ways to bolster them; the latest developments in Yemen; and host of topics of mutual interest. During the meeting, HE Sheikh Mohammed affirmed Qatar’s unwavering support for Yemen and its continued assistance to its brotherly people until they achieve their aspirations for security, stability, and development. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Monday with the visiting Jordanian Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Dr Jafar Hassan.**media[377248]**The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways to support and strengthen them. They also discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, in light of the ceasefire agreement in the Strip, besides topics of common interest. HE Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to ensure the full implementation of the agreement, paving the way for achieving sustainable peace and the desired stability in the region.

President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, stressed that the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha 2025) presents an ideal opportunity to transition from charting plans to deploying practical solutions for the social challenges facing many of the world's communities.Addressing the Doha Solutions Forum for Social Development, held Monday as part of the summit hosted by Qatar from Nov. 4‑6, Baerbock affirmed that the broad participation expected at the summit will help impart prolific experiences and explore the best solutions to address both current and future social challenges.The summit broadly aims to unify efforts and share expertise to build practical and enduring solutions for global social development challenges, Baerbock underlined. She lavished praise on Qatar's role in backing international efforts to address social problems worldwide, particularly through hosting this monumental global event.The real challenge before the international community today, in terms of social development, lies in the capacity to implement solutions effectively, failure of which exacerbates suffering. Therefore, the Doha Summit is a perfect platform for learning, inspiring ideas, and fostering joint action toward a better future for all, she highlighted.The UN official cited a slew of successful global initiatives in social development, including the Sierra Leone initiative for enabling economic independence for persons with disabilities, which demonstrates empowerment through economic self-reliance rather than charity, achieved by removing barriers to employment, providing vocational training, and offering microloans for entrepreneurial projects.Similarly, India's Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has opened over 531mn new bank accounts, expanding the scope of social services, while civil society organizations in Sri Lanka launched a digital platform that created more than 25,000 job opportunities, underscoring that such initiatives demonstrate the immense value of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society, she outlined.She pointed out that the massive challenge before policymakers lies in scaling such solutions and mobilizing essential resources to implement them on the ground. The global financing gap in social development, estimated at approximately US$4tn, underscores the urgent necessity to establish cooperative frameworks and innovative financial instruments capable of scaling pilot projects into large‑scale initiatives benefiting millions, particularly in areas such as digital transformation, infrastructure enhancement, and social inclusion, Baerbock noted.She further indicated that public‑private sector partnerships, alongside civil society engagement, are the bedrock of achieving comprehensive development, emphasizing that the private sector should be conceived not merely as a source of funding but as a strategic partner in innovation and solution creation.She stressed the importance of women's empowerment and providing opportunities for them to assume leadership across diverse fields, in addition to recognizing existing solutions, exploring novel ones, and sharing expertise to build a more just and enduring future.

The President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan arrived in Doha on Monday to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development, which Qatar is hosting from November 4 to 6.Upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport, Khachaturyan was welcomed by HE Ibrahim Yousef Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tigran Gevorgyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Doha.

The President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani arrived in Doha on Monday to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development, hosted by the State of Qatar from 4 to 6 November.Upon arrival at Hamad International Airport, Assoumani and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by HE Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim bin Yousif Fakhro.

The President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon arrived in Doha on Monday to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development, hosted by the State of Qatar from 4 to 6 November.Upon arrival at Hamad International Airport, Rahmon and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by HE Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim bin Yousif Fakhro and the Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to the State of Qatar, Nurmurod Mahmadali.

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.

The President of the Transitional Presidential Council of the Republic of Haiti, Anthony Frank Laurent Saint-Cyr, and his accompanying delegation visited the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) on Monday.The visit came as part of his participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled to convene on Tuesday.During the tour, Saint-Cyr viewed the museum's most prized collections across its various galleries and received a comprehensive briefing on its precious treasures, which span multiple eras.He was accompanied by HE Director of the National Museum of Qatar Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani.

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.