By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – World body and the State of Qatar on Sunday gathered for the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha.
The ceremony marked the UN official assumption of the Qatar National Convention Centre as the venue where world leaders will work to reinvigorate the global social pact.
A symbolic event, held at the conference facility, was attended by senior officials from Qatar and the UN accompanied by a formation of UN security officers and members of Qatar’s Lekhwiya police forces standing on either side of the two flagpoles.
Li Junhua, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs spoke at the ceremony said the moment reflected a shared commitment to cooperation and collective progress.
“This moment formally marks the handover of this landmark facility to the United Nations,” he said.
“The QNCC is now transformed into a space where the global community will gather to advance solutions and renew hope.”
Ahmad Hassen Al-Hamadi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar welcomed the international community, emphasized the country’s support as host and partner in facilitating dialogue and cooperation at the highest level.
He said “We are confident that this Summit will provide a pivotal opportunity to reaffirm the political will and to capitalize on the abundant opportunities to accelerate and stimulate transformative actions to achieve social development and social justice for all, and accelerate progress for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Over 14,000 attendees including Heads of State and Government, ministers, civil society leaders, youth delegates, workers and private sector representatives expected to take part in high-level roundtables and parallel forums focused on social protection, inequality, decent work and the inclusion of marginalized groups.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric in New York has confirmed that UN Secretary-General António Guterres will address the opening ceremony on Tuesday.
Mr. Guterres will highlight progress since the first Social Summit in Copenhagen in 1995, underscored major global challenges, including widening inequalities, unemployment, poverty, conflicts and widespread human suffering.
A special performance organized by the Education Above All Foundation, in cooperation with Qatar’s Internal Security Forces and Joint Special Forces at the opening ceremony.
The team of parachutists descended over the Qatar National Convention Centre, each carried a flag represent one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The display symbolized the Foundation’s commitment to advancing education equity and sustainability, while also reflecting the broader aims of the Summit: to accelerate progress on social development and ensure no one is left behind.
The descent drew applause from delegates and onlookers, symbolizing the Summit’s themes of unity, shared responsibility and collective action, and visually reinforcing the message that social development is inseparable from the full SDG agenda.
UN DESA has teamed up with Mark Lee, the Korean-Canadian artist from global K-pop group NCT, for a short video message released on social media as leaders gather in Doha, efforts are also under way to bring young people into the conversation.
The clip shows Mark inviting viewers to “pick up” and reflect on what social progress means to them from fairness and dignity to real opportunities to thrive.
With millions of followers and a strong global fan base, his message is helping spark conversation among younger audiences who are shaping change in online spaces every day.
“Young and old, we have a huge role to play,” he said in the video.
He added “Our voices, our ideas, our creativity can bring people together. Together, we can show that when we move as one, we can make change happen.”
