What we do

The NGO Committee for Social Development (NGO CSocD) is a civil society network that works in partnership with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Commission for Social Development (CSocD)—a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Main Functions of the NGO Committee for Social Development:

Advocacy

It advocates for people-centered social development at the UN, focusing on poverty eradication, social inclusion, and full employment. The committee pushes to keep social development high on the UN agenda.

Engaging Civil Society

The committee brings together non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from around the world to:

Share knowledge and best practices.

Coordinate joint statements and advocacy.

Participate in UN events, especially the annual Commission for Social Development (CSocD).

Organizing events

It helps organize and coordinate civil society forums, side events, and interactive dialogues during the Commission for Social Development.

Policy Input

Member NGOs can contribute to position papers, oral statements, and other documents submitted to the Commission. This helps shape the Commission’s recommendations to ECOSOC and, ultimately, the UN General Assembly.

Bridge between NGOs and the UN

It serves as a liaison between civil society and UN bodies, ensuring grassroots and marginalized voices are included in discussions about global social policies.

Commission for Social Development

Since the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995, the Commission for Social Development has been the key UN body in charge of the follow up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.

The NGO Committee on Social Development is dedicated to raising awareness and holding discussions on social development issues taken up by the UN System and in particular by the UN Commission for Social Development. The committee holds a Civil Society Forum and other capacity-building and outreach evens on the occasion of the Commission.

CSocD64 and Civil Society Forum 2026

Advancing Social Development and Social Justice through Coordinated, Equitable, and Inclusive Policies

CSocD63 and Civil Society Forum 2025

Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion, and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action for the World Summit for Social Development, as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

CSocD61 and Civil Society Forum 2023

Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication.