Engagement Opportunities in the lead up to WSSD2 2025

In collaboration with ILO, IOM, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN WOMEN, the second event was held as an Associated Event of the 12th Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development (APFSD). It built on the special event organized on October 10, 2024, and attended by representatives from Governments, the UN, academia, civil society and development partners providing a space to discuss social development issues of importance to the region with a focus on their interlinkages. The event comprised a high-level panel discussion and four thematic roundtable discussions. The high-level panel, moderated by ESCAP, set the stage by addressing the broader themes of social development and their intersection with regional challenges.

High level speakers from OHCHR, ILO and other relevant partners will deliver high-level messages that can be linked to WSSD2 and UN advocacy. The 58th session will also include a presentation on the work mandated by the Human Rights Council on care and support economy and systems (RES/54/6).

The multi-stakeholder regional consultation was organized as an associated event of the 12th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (25-28 February 2025). The consultation focused on social development priorities in Asia and the Pacific, emphasizing inclusive and people-centered development. Thematic areas of particular interest included the need to strengthen social protection systems, preparing for an ageing population, while strengthening intergenerational solidarity and relations, meeting increasing care demands, while also taking into account gender equality considerations and how governments can ensure inclusive development to reduce poverty and inequality and create opportunities across all groups of society.

Organized by the GCC Executive Bureau and IOM in collaboration with ESCWA.
Ministerial discussion to support GCC countries in preparations for WSSD2 and enhance their participation in preparatory processes at national, regional and global levels

The Conference was organized by the Ministry of National Territory and Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy of the Government of Morocco, UN-Habitat, GLTN and the Arab Land Initiative, in partnership with the League of Arab States, UNESCWA, UNECA, the World Bank, BMZ, the Netherlands’ RVO, and Morocco land sector stakeholders. Adequate Housing for All is an increasingly prominent concern in peace and security with housing, land and property rights and the destruction of civilian infrastructure being major features in recent conflicts especially in the Arab region. Land disputes and scarcity, as well as insecurity of tenure, are important indicators of inequality and drive conflicts between communities and groups in several contexts. Secure housing, land and property rights are an essential component of peace processes and post-conflict stabilisation. To ensure integration of land issues in the intergovernmental preparatory processes leading up to the Second World Summit on Social Development, UN-Habitat collaborates closely with the Kingdom of Morocco, as the host of the conference, and H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations, as the appointed cofacilitators.

UNRISD organized and co-convened side event entitled "Towards the World Summit for Social Development: Economy of Wellbeing Approach and Social Justice as Investments for Future Generations" to foster dialogue among thought leaders, policymakers, and activists. The event served as a platform to highlight research findings and actionable recommendations stemming from UNRISD’s preparatory work. Partners for side events included UN agencies, UN member states, civil society organizations, and experts.

ESCWA’s Executive Secretary briefed Arab Permanent Representatives on the various regional preparatory processes for WSSD2 during CsocD63.

The 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63), held from 5 to 14 February 2025, concluded with productive discussions on key challenges to social progress. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and highlighted the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, as a crucial opportunity to reset global priorities and strengthen collective action. The Commission also adopted five resolutions on the priority theme, methods of work, NEPAD, youth, and the review modalities of MIPAA.

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in partnership with Social Justice Coalition organized an in-person, tri-partite (including academia) conference. The event focused on ensuring that artificial intelligence benefits the world of work and advances social justice.

The G20 Education Working Group offers a comprehensive view of key education trends, each year with specific focus areas, and valuing peer learning and knowledge sharing. Since the establishment of the G20 Education Working Group in 2018 during Argentina’s G20 Presidency, UNESCO has provided strategic advice and produced outcome documents for the Education Working Group - a key platform for addressing equity, quality in education, skills for life and work, and education financing through multilateral collaboration.