Prof. Khalid Al-Shafi
With the launch of the second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, the State of Qatar once again stands at the forefront of international efforts aimed at promoting human dignity, justice, and sustainable prosperity. Thirty years after the first summit was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, the world now faces renewed and evolving challenges—from economic inequality and widening social gaps, to climate crises and persistent threats to peace and stability.
In this context, Qatar’s hosting of this prominent summit is not merely a diplomatic achievement, but a national commitment to global responsibility and a reaffirmation of the country’s role as a driving force for constructive dialogue and sustainable development. The election of His Highness the Amir as Chairman of the Summit is a recognition of Qatar’s credibility and leadership in advancing the global development agenda.
In his opening speech, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani emphasised that social development is neither a luxury nor a political choice, but a fundamental necessity to ensure the survival and stability of societies. Qatar’s message is clear: the prosperity of nations cannot be measured solely by economic output, but by their ability to advance human well-being, achieve social inclusion, and respect the dignity of all.
His Highness noted that Qatar has demonstrated that social development can be achieved through clear vision and decisive action. The nation continues to build a development model centred on human development, equal opportunity, high-quality education, economic empowerment, and family support and social protection. The recently announced Social Development and Family Strategy (2025–2030), under the slogan “From Care to Empowerment,” embodies this direction. At its core are goals to strengthen social cohesion, enhance community resilience, and ensure fair access to opportunities—aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, which places the human being at the centre of development.
Internationally, Qatar continues to play its role as a reliable partner in humanitarian and development efforts. Through the Qatar Fund for Development and other institutions, the state provides support to the world’s most vulnerable communities by improving livelihoods, expanding access to education, and helping rebuild societies affected by conflict. The adoption of the Doha Declaration during this summit marks a pivotal moment, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to an ethical and political framework grounded in human dignity, equality, economic justice, and peace as essential foundations of social development. It also renews momentum toward achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which have faltered amid the crises and conflicts facing the world. His Highness also reiterated Qatar’s unwavering support for the rights of the Palestinian people, calling for their protection and assistance, and for resisting the establishment of an apartheid regime in Palestine.
As world leaders gathered and H H the Amir formally inaugurated the summit, global attention turned to Doha, which has become an influential force for global efforts to achieve prosperity and social justice for the peoples of the world. No doubt that the success of the summit is long term success of Doha’s diplomacy—but at same time countries are required to translate the proposals and ideas raised and agreed upon at the summit into real actions with tangible outcomes that improve lives.
Qatar’s leadership of this summit marks the beginning of a new phase of international cooperation and expresses a comprehensive, human-centred vision of sustainable development—one that measures progress by the extent to which nations uplift people and build a more just and peaceful world. The Doha Summit reminds the world that social development is the path to stability—and that Qatar is playing a powerful and deserving role in leading that path.
