Important Facts of the News
- The Second World Summit for Social Development took place from 4 to 6 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
- More than 8,000 delegates participated, including national leaders, UN bodies, civil society, scholars, private sector, and youth.
- SAARC Secretary General Md. Golam Sarwar attended and addressed a high-level round table.
- The discussion focused on progress and gaps in commitments from the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development.
- SAARC’s Plan of Action aligns regional goals with the global 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
- SAARC works closely with UNDP, FAO, WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF to strengthen regional cooperation.
- On the sidelines, bilateral discussions were scheduled with UNICEF and Plan International Asia Pacific delegations.
Overview of the Summit
The Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha brought together a wide spectrum of global actors to review efforts toward inclusive growth and social well-being. The gathering, which included heads of state, UN officials, civil society groups, researchers, business leaders, and young representatives, focused on evaluating collective progress toward internationally agreed development goals.
SAARC’s Engagement and Priorities
Md. Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, took part in the Summit and delivered remarks during a high-level round table session. His statement centered on how South Asian cooperation frameworks are advancing social development objectives and addressing existing challenges.
Alignment with the 2030 Development Agenda
He outlined SAARC’s structured approach to advancing the 2030 Agenda through a dedicated Plan of Action that reflects shared regional priorities. According to him, SAARC’s specialized institutions and working groups play a meaningful role in promoting data exchange, enabling constructive policy conversations, and enhancing institutional capacities across member countries.
Partnerships with UN Agencies
The Secretary General also noted ongoing cooperation with major UN agencies such as UNDP, FAO, WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF. These partnerships contribute to evidence-based policy formation and aim to strengthen mechanisms for joint development action in South Asia.
Collective Social Vision
He expressed that the people of South Asia represent a significant share of the world’s population and continue to share a common aspiration for dignity, nourishment, empowerment, and equality. The sentiment reaffirmed SAARC’s collective commitment to contribute towards a more equitable regional future.
Bilateral Engagements at the Summit
In addition to his participation in the main events, the Secretary General scheduled bilateral meetings with delegates from UNICEF and Plan International Asia Pacific to discuss collaboration opportunities aimed at improving social outcomes in the region.