His Highness the Amir opens the Second World Summit on Social Development
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, today patronised the opening of the Second World Summit on Social Development at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
The summit is attended by Their Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses — heads of state, governments and delegations from brotherly and friendly countries — as well as representatives of regional and international institutions and organisations.
During the opening session, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was elected Chair of the Second World Summit for Social Development.
At the beginning of his address, HH the Amir expressed Qatar’s pride in hosting the summit, which comes thirty years after the first was held in Copenhagen in 1995. His Highness said: “The summit 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, thereby threatening social peace.”
HH the Amir added: “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.”
HH the Amir continued: “Social development is not a matter of choice — it is a fundamental necessity. As we commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations 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.”
On Qatar’s national efforts, HH the Amir stated: “The State of 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.”
In this context, HH the Amir referred to the Ministry of Social Development and Family’s recently launched strategy, saying: “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.”
HH the Amir also commended the adoption of the Doha Declaration, stating: “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.”
The Second World Summit on Social Development 2025 is being held over three days in Doha, with the participation of more than 8,000 representatives of member states, including heads of state and government, ministers, the United Nations, civil society, academia, the private sector and youth. The summit aims to renew the commitment to social justice and translate it into concrete measures that place people at the centre of sustainable development.
