In News:

The Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD-2) is being held Doha, Qatar, under the aegis of the United Nations. India is represented at the summit by the Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, underscoring India’s commitment to global social development and social justice.

Background and Evolution

The first World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen in 1995, marking a watershed moment in global consensus on placing people-centric development at the heart of economic policy. It resulted in the Copenhagen Declaration, which laid down 10 commitments focused on poverty eradication, employment generation, and social inclusion.

Three decades later, WSSD-2 seeks to reassess global progress, address emerging challenges, and reinvigorate global solidarity in the context of widening inequalities, technological disruption, climate stress, and demographic transitions.

Objectives of WSSD-2

The summit aims to:

• Reaffirm commitment to poverty eradication, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
• Promote social inclusion, equality, and well-being, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Assess gaps in implementation of social development commitments since 1995.
• Strengthen the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Reaffirm the 10 commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration.
• Enhance global cooperation and solidarity in social development.

Importantly, WSSD-2 is aligned with other key global processes, including the 2023 SDG Summit Political Declaration, the Pact of the Future, and the forthcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), ensuring policy coherence across global development frameworks.

India’s Participation and Contributions

At the summit, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya is participating in the Opening Plenary, delivering India’s National Statement, and joining global leaders in adopting the Doha Political Declaration, which will guide future international action on social development.

India is actively contributing to the High-Level Round Table on the Three Pillars of Social Development:

1. Poverty Eradication
2. Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All
3. Social Inclusion

In this forum, India is showcasing its inclusive and digitally enabled growth model, highlighting how digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, and targeted welfare delivery have strengthened social protection and employment outcomes.

Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements

On the sidelines of WSSD-2, India is strengthening international cooperation through bilateral meetings with representatives from Qatar, Romania, Mauritius, and the European Union, as well as interactions with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and senior UN officials. These engagements focus on:

• Labour mobility
• Skilling and workforce development
• Social protection frameworks
• Employment generation

Additionally, India is highlighting institutional innovations such as the National Career Service (NCS) Portal, which connects job seekers and employers, improving transparency and inclusivity in labour markets.