العربية
February 2026 | Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Amid widening inequality and growing strain on public trust, the United Nations’ main intergovernmental forum on social policy concluded its annual session with renewed calls to transform global commitments into concrete national action.
The Commission for Social Development, meeting at UN Headquarters in New York from 2 to 10 February, marked its first session since the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in 2025.
A post-Doha moment
The session focused on advancing social justice through coordinated, equitable and inclusive policies, reflecting concerns that fragmented policymaking is slowing progress on poverty eradication and decent work.
Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), warned that:
- Widening inequality
- Demographic shifts
- Rapid digital and green transitions
are testing social cohesion worldwide.
Responding with integrated, people-centred policies, he said, is not just a policy choice but a moral imperative.
What is the Commission for Social Development?
Established in 1946 under United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Commission is the UN’s primary body dedicated to social development.
Over decades, it has shaped global frameworks on:
- Poverty eradication
- Employment and decent work
- Universal social protection
- Inclusion of vulnerable groups
Its work builds on landmark agreements such as:
- The 1995 Copenhagen Declaration
- The 2025 Doha Political Declaration
From commitments to delivery
In a message to delegates, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasized that Doha signalled a shift toward more ambitious, coordinated action.
More than 700 NGOs participated in the session, underscoring strong civil society engagement.
“If Copenhagen, Doha and the 2030 Agenda are where we drew the map, then the Commission sets us on the road,” she said.
General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock stressed that social development is the foundation of peace and long-term stability.
Coordinating policy in a changing world
Delegates repeatedly highlighted the need for policy coherence by aligning:
- Employment strategies
- Universal social protection floors
- Inclusive health and education systems
- Just-transition measures
Emerging issues discussed included:
- Labour market disruption
- Artificial intelligence and digital transformation
- Demographic change
- Climate-related stress
While new technologies pose risks, delegates agreed they can accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development if governed inclusively.
Youth mental health in focus
A key moment of the session was the launch of the World Youth Report on Youth Mental Health and Well-being.
Youth representatives highlighted:
- Rising anxiety linked to economic uncertainty
- Climate stress
- Conflict exposure
- Digital harms
They called for preventive, community-based, and youth-responsive mental health strategies.
Resolutions adopted
At the close of the session, Member States endorsed two draft resolutions:
- Advancing social development and social justice through coordinated and inclusive policies
- Addressing social dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development
The outcomes will inform:
- The High-Level Political Forum in July
- ECOSOC’s broader policy work
- Preparations for a high-level review of social development commitments in 2031