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Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad held a virtual meeting Wednesday with members of the Palestinian government operations room, chaired by Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of Relief Affairs of the State of Palestine.The talks reviewed bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Palestine and addressed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.Discussions focused on easing the humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza, enhancing partnerships in development and knowledge exchange, and coordinating the entry and distribution of aid, particularly ahead of the winter season.The meeting was part of Qatar's ongoing efforts to ensure the effective and sustainable delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Representatives from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and around 48 humanitarian organizations and officials took part in the discussions.Meanwhile, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said that Palestinians in Gaza continue to face tremendous hardship, including dire living conditions and insufficient aid one month after the fragile ceasefire went into effect, pointing out that Palestinians are still being killed and injured by Israeli forces almost every day in the areas close to the yellow line, behind which Israel maintains control.In a statement issued in Geneva, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza Caroline Seguin said, " Palestinians often risk their lives by going back to look for their houses, as this line is still not always clearly marked. To make matters worse, some main hospitals are in areas controlled by Israeli forces, which means safe access to health care is reduced. The Israeli authorities continue to impose significant restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza. MSF and other organizations are struggling to bring vital aid into Gaza, especially medical equipment, shelters, hygiene items, and spare parts for vital infrastructure," she added.Seguin also noted that thousands of displaced people are living in tents lacking water and electricity, surrounded by accumulated waste and outbreaks of skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases, as winter approaches.The organization called for the immediate and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the UN in New York hosted a high-level dinner discussion for women leaders participating in the Second World Summit for Social Development, on women’s leadership and digital innovation for sustainable development. The event was held at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha in honour of President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, and Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Amina Mohammed.The dinner was attended by Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi; Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous, as well as a number of heads of delegations and women leaders participating in the Summit.In her remarks, Her Excellency al-Misnad affirmed Qatar’s steadfast commitment to strengthening multilateral co-operation aimed at closing the digital divide and ensuring that the benefits of innovation are accessible to all. She stressed the importance of making technology serve humanity and measuring its success by how it benefits the most vulnerable groups, such as children, women, and persons with disabilities, particularly in conflict-affected areas. She also called on women leaders to work toward implementing and designing policies that contribute to building an inclusive digital future for all.For her part, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi said that Qatar’s approach to social development is centred on a human-focused vision that integrates innovation into policy design and data-driven decision-making. She noted that technology, when guided by ethical and inclusive values, can serve as a powerful tool to enhance human well-being.Her Excellency Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, who moderated the discussion during the dinner, emphasised that the event provided an opportunity to celebrate women’s leadership and its role in shaping a more inclusive digital future.It also served as a platform for reflecting on how innovation can support the implementation of the Doha Political Declaration on Social Development and advance the broader goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Annalena Baerbock highlighted the United Nations’ continued commitment to supporting women’s leadership and ensuring that digital transformation becomes a driving force for inclusion, equality, and sustainable development for all. She added that strengthening women’s leadership in the digital sphere enhances the effectiveness of development solutions in addressing global challenges.Amina Mohammed commended Qatar’s role in advancing sustainable social development and promoting international co-operation toward a more just and inclusive future.She also praised Qatar’s initiatives to empower women and foster innovation as a means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.Similarly, Sima Bahous praised the Second World Summit for Social Development for providing a platform to reflect on how to place women at the heart of policies and strategies that leverage digital innovation, particularly artificial intelligence, to promote inclusive and sustainable development and help shape a fairer and more equitable future, in line with the goals set forth in the Doha Political Declaration on Social Development.

Hosted by Qatar from November 4 to 6, the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) concluded Thursday with wide international praise for its outcomes and results in terms of advancing social development globally and linking it to sustainable development.At the closing session, the summit reiterated its welcome of the Doha Political Declaration, which was adopted by the conference. The declaration emphasized the inter-connectedness of eradicating poverty, providing decent work opportunities for all, and achieving social inclusion as essential elements for attaining sustainable development.It also provided significant impetus to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.In her address at the Summit's closing session, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock stated that the Doha Summit marks a new beginning for advancing social development globally and achieving many goals related to improving education, healthcare services, communications, and other vital areas that serve societies.She noted that the Doha Political Declaration and its provisions, adopted by the summit, form the basis for building more just, secure, and resilient societies, 30 years after the first summit.She further said that the Second World Summit in Doha marked a turning point, as it moved from diagnosing problems to taking practical steps to solve them, thanks to multilateral efforts involving governmental and international organisations, civil society organisations, and the private sector.The time has come more than ever to capitalize on the great momentum generated by the Doha Summit after listening to and learning about the views of heads of state, heads of government, and all parties concerned with social development, she stressed, noting that the focus should now be on transforming the ideas and proposals presented into tangible innovations, actions, and initiatives by considering how to invest in the financial commitments related to the Sustainable Development Goals.The President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly commended Qatar for its outstanding organisation of the summit and its significant role in the success of this important global event.She also reiterated that sustainable development cannot be achieved without a just and lasting peace, as conflicts not only claim lives but also set back decades of social progress.Following the closing session of the conference, the UN flag was lowered at the Qatar National Convention Centre, officially marking the conclusion of the Second World Summit for Social Development.The summit saw the participation of approximately 8,000 representatives from member states, including heads of state and government, ministers, representatives from the UN, civil society, academia, the private sector, and youth. They all reaffirmed the importance of social development and the well-being of societies and presented practical solutions and proposals for achieving sustainable development through its social dimension.

The Second World Summit for Social Development opened its second day on Wednesday with a plenary session focused on the main global challenges and opportunities related to social development.During the session, participants emphasised the importance of strengthening international solidarity and placing humans at the centre of social policies to achieve sustainable well-being among communities.They called for enhanced co-operation between countries and international institutions to develop comprehensive social policies, with a focus on investing in youth, women, and vulnerable groups to ensure sustainable social development and promote equality and justice.In this context, Minister of Family and Social Services of Turkiye Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas said that development is not measured solely by economic growth indicators, but also by social cohesion, citizens’ quality of life, and human dignity.She added that Turkiye is working to achieve a balance between work, education, health, and social life, ensuring women’s empowerment, protecting children, promoting active and healthy lives for youth and the elderly, and transforming social assistance from temporary support into a sustainable environment that encourages citizens’ active participation in social development.Meanwhile, Minister of Social Development of Oman Dr Laila bint Ahmed al-Najjar emphasised that true development begins and ends with humans, and that justice and equality are fundamental pillars for building a modern state.She explained that Oman follows a comprehensive social strategy that includes combating poverty, promoting social integration, and distributing social benefits fairly, with a focus on supporting families, improving the professional environment for persons with disabilities and the elderly, and using data-driven assessments to enhance social policies.In turn, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Sanni Grahn-Laasonen stressed her country’s full support for UN reform and its commitment to human rights and gender equality, with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and rights.She noted that Finland is a leader in social innovation, and that its investments in parental care, free education, school meals, and public childcare have contributed to improving quality of life and empowering women to participate in the labour market. She also emphasised the importance of youth and ensuring the rights of future generations to a dignified life and a sustainable future.

The United Nations on Wednesday launched a new global initiative focused on youth mental health on the margins of the Second World Summit for Social  Development held in Doha.The initiative intends to bolster the cognitive and psychological well‑being of young people, enabling them to confront the mounting challenges in a world characterised by uncertainty and rapid development.Briefing the media about the salient features of the initiative, Felipe Paullier, assistant secretary-general for Youth Affairs at the United Nations Youth Office said the initiative was launched at the summit as it was linked with social development.“It is just the start of something very big. We believe that when we are talking about mental health, well-being, it is really about social development and it is really about the societies we are shaping. And this summit is really about renewing hope, rebuilding trust, and that starts by building communities that embed care, connection, and compassion in our social fabric,” said Paullier. He was accompanied at the press conference by Tanatswa Chikaura, young leader for the SDGs and mental health advocate and founder of Ndinewe Foundation.Paullier noted that young people are not only demanding better mental health support and care, they are demanding transforming the systems and inclusion.“For too long, mental health has been understood primarily as a medical issue. But for young people, the absence of illness does not mean that they are well. Well-being is about much more than a treatment. It's about dignity, it's about belonging, and it's about living with purpose and connection,” he elaborated.He highlighted that true progress requires to shift from narrow focuses on treating symptoms to building systems that nurture inclusion, creativity, and care in the schools, at the workplaces, in the communities, and in the digital space.“And this is even more important at this time of history, where young people are navigating a time of profound uncertainty, living within economic instability, within conflict, within raising inequalities, climate anxiety, and a digital culture that often amplifies isolation instead of connection,” he continued.Paullier said that WHO atlas on mental health shows that one in seven young people live with a mental health condition and suicide remains as one of the leading causes of death among young people. “And the trends are not positive. But if we go beyond the numbers, there are lived realities of millions of young people whose potential to thrive is being stiffed by systems that fail to support this well-being,” he highlighted.The official noted that the new initiative is about taking a different approach, and building that at a global level from an advocacy effort.He highlighted:“ It is about taking an ecosystemic approach to mental health and well-being, grounding it in the realities of young people, and proposing a model which is inclusive, holistic, youthful, and youth responsive. The initiative is grounded in three simple but powerful principles. The first one, mental health is a human right. The second one, there is no future without well-being. The third principle is that care, connection, and community are the real building blocks of the future of our societies.” Chikaura hoped that with the UN Youth Office's flagship initiative on mental health and wellbeing, there could be empathy-led communities that prioritise inclusion, and resilience.“We should not act because people have died by suicide. We should act to prevent people from dying by suicide. I have hope for the future of youth mental health, and I invite everyone to be a part of the solution. Let us make a collective effort to create safe spaces in our communities,” she concluded.

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met Wednesday with the Minister of Social Solidarity of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Maya Morsi, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently held in Doha.Discussion during the meeting focused on cooperation relations and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to several issues of mutual interest.

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation, Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, met Wednesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia, Mulambo Haimbe, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently held in Doha.Discussion during the meeting focused on cooperation relations and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to several issues of mutual interest.

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met Wednesday with Assistant Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), Rania Dagash Kamara, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently held in Doha.The meeting discussed aspects of cooperation between the State of Qatar and the WFP, in addition to several issues of mutual interest.

Jordan's Minister of Social Development, Wafa Bani Mustafa affirmed that the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently underway in Doha, holds great importance not only for the Arab region but for the entire world, serving as a reminder of the social development agenda, which is often overshadowed by other global priorities.In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of her participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development, Jordan's Minister of Social Development explained that this session comes at a time not far from the completion of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda, through which countries of the world are expected to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all United Nations member states.She highlighted the importance of the State of Qatar's hosting of the Summit and of issuing, according to the agreement of the participating countries, a Doha Political Declaration. She noted that the discussions focused on key issues related to social protection, employment opportunities, youth care, empowerment of women and persons with disabilities, in addition to the importance of early preparedness for social responses to crises and shocks. She emphasized that this summit represents a true opportunity to learn from various experiences and to develop national mechanisms for social response.Regarding her country's efforts in the issue of persons with disabilities, she told QNA that Jordan is one of the pioneering countries in integrating persons with disabilities into society. She pointed out that Jordan hosted the Third Global Disability Summit (GDS 2025) earlier this year, which resulted in the "Amman-Berlin Declaration," one of the declarations that highlighted the importance of inclusion, integration, and the allocation of budgets within national development programs.She underlined that the Jordanian Ministry of Social Development works on disability issues as part of an integrated national system, specializing in the transition from institutional and residential care to family and community-based alternative care. This approach, she said, is at the core of the integration process and aims to prevent the exclusion and isolation of persons with disabilities.She also referred to Jordan's Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 2017, which led to the creation of a national strategy and a ten-year plan aimed at ending institutional care by the end of 2027.She noted that, as a leadership of the National Social Protection Strategy, the Ministry of Social Development oversees an important pillar called "FORSA" (Opportunity), which includes an executive plan for the employment of persons with disabilities. This initiative focuses on qualifying and training this group for decent and empowering job opportunities, enabling them to achieve the main goal of living independently, she added.Jordan's Minister of Social Development, Wafa Bani Mustafa, stressed the importance of early investment in enhancing social services and in training and rehabilitating persons with disabilities, with the aim of reducing future costs and empowering this group to have independent sources of income and to live just like any other segment of society.

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met on Wednesday with the Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs of the State of Palestine Dr. Samah Hamad, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, currently taking place in Doha.The meeting reviewed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and explored mechanisms to meet basic needs and accelerate their delivery. The two sides also discussed several issues of mutual interest.

A session on protecting families during wars and conflicts was held today as part of the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently underway in Doha.The session highlighted the State of Qatar's leading efforts in resolving regional and international conflicts. Speaking at the session, Acting Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sarah Abdullah Al Saadi, affirmed Qatar's pioneering role in reuniting separated families in several conflict zones. She highlighted Qatar's efforts in Russia, Ukraine, Gaza, and Afghanistan, which have contributed to restoring stability and reuniting numerous families affected by war.Al Saadi also stressed the importance of safeguarding families during conflicts and warned against the consequences of family fragmentation. She called for enhanced international cooperation and the adoption of sustainable policies to address these challenges.

President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Annalena Baerbock stated that Tuesday's adoption of the Doha Political Declaration represents a crucial step towards achieving inclusive social development that leaves no one behind, and that Doha should be the final stage on this path that began in Copenhagen three decades ago. In her address at the opening session of the Second World Summit for Social Development — ​​Doha 2025, she recalled the experience shaped by the 1995 Copenhagen Conference, saying: "Copenhagen taught us 30 years ago that social development and inclusion is essential for strong societies. Today, Doha must go the last mile and teach us how to leave no one behind, end social injustice, and guarantee dignity for everyone." Baerbock added that the past three decades have seen "tangible progress," saying: "Unemployment, which stood at 1bn people, 30% of the global workforce in 1995 fell to a historic low of 5% in 2024." However, she noted that "economic growth alone has been insufficient to pull people in all regions out of poverty," as gaps widen and structural imbalances persist, leaving millions marginalised. On these gaps, she pointed out that girls in many countries find themselves left behind for reasons beyond their control. She added, "Copenhagen has allowed millions to take a step forward. But far too many have remained stuck or have even fallen further back. 800mn people still live in extreme poverty. In some countries, half of the girls do not even go to primary school.” Baerbock continued by saying: "While unemployment has fallen to 5% globally, this hides vast disparities. For instance, unemployment stands at less than 1% in some countries, yet it amounts to more than 20% in others. And young people remain three times more likely to be unemployed. These are undeniable facts, and we must join forces in order to make life fair for everyone work towards a world that is fair to everyone, regardless of their birthplace or circumstances.” Regarding shared challenges, she emphasized that the climate crisis is the biggest obstacle to social development, noting that climate disasters cause the collapse of social services and an immediate decline in GDP. Just last week, Hurricane Melissa barreled through the Caribbean, causing $2bn in losses. Such disasters directly account for at least $200bn in annual losses, she said, adding: "If we continue like this, it is estimated that if the planet warms by more than two degrees, almost 200mn more people could face food insecurity.” She said that hunger and poverty are also drivers of displacement. And displacement, in turn, leads to insecurity and instability. Thus begins a vicious circle, stressing that the opportunity still exists to reduce emissions and keep the temperature rise below two degrees. "Fighting the climate crisis and ending hunger and poverty is not merely an act of charity. It is a matter of security and self-interest for all countries.” Baerbock also called for the adoption of interconnected solutions for social development, noting that the Doha Declaration, as well as the SDGs, call for holistic strategies because eradicating hunger cannot be achieved in isolation from education, equality, or decent work. They are not separate 17 goals, but rather an integrated framework where advancement in one area accelerates progress in others, she said. Baerbock affirmed that the Doha Declaration was formulated with everyone's participation and delivering on this all together in unity won't be easy. "With the Declaration just adopted, with the promises we made, to level the playing field for all, once and forever," she added It is worth noting that the opening session of the conference witnessed the formal adoption of the Doha Political Declaration by the President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The declaration was agreed upon through an intergovernmental negotiation process held at the UN in New York. According to the UN, this declaration represents a pivotal moment in the global effort to accelerate social progress, eradicate poverty, and build more inclusive, just, and sustainable societies.