Putting People First
Advancing Global Social Development and Social Justice
The Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) will take place from 4 to 6 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar, in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/78/318. The Summit builds on the legacy of the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, reaffirming global commitments to people-centered, inclusive, and equitable development.
The Summit is organized by UNDESA and the Government of Qatar. A dedicated page is now available on the UNDESA website.
Venue: The Summit will be held in Doha at the Qatar National Convention Center.
Dates: The Summit will be from 4 November 2025 to 6 November 2025.
Civil Society Forum Report: Second World Summit for Social Development
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Civil Society Forum at the WSSD2
The NGO Committee for Social Development is proud to lead the Civil Society Forum in collaboration with UNDESA and the State of Qatar. The Civil Society Forum will consist of an Opening Panel, a Closing Panel, and ten Featured Events, each inspired by one of the Ten Commitments outlined in the Copenhagen Declaration. The Featured Events will aim to foster knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships, and address contemporary challenges in social development.
Venue: The Forum will take place alongside the Summit in Doha at the Qatar National Convention Center.
Dates: The Forum will be held on 5 November 2025 and 6 November 2025.
Registration
Registration for the Summit ended on September 30th.
Organizations interested in attending WSSD2 and/or the Civil Society Forum, regardless of whether they are organizing a Featured Event, must be:
• ECOSOC-accredited,
• Specially accredited, or
• Approved by the United Nations to attend the Summit
First Informational Session
Wednesday, July 29th, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Second Informational Session
Wednesday, September 17th, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Ten Featured Events at the Civil Society Forum
Each Featured Event will:
• Align with one of the Ten Commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration
• Showcase solutions and strategic recommendations
• Prioritize gender balance, geographic representation, and sectoral diversity
• Follow the Application Guidelines for Featured Events at the Civil Society Forum
Event Format: 60-minute roundtables, panels, or workshops.
Moderators of the featured events will present a summary and call to action at the Closing Session Panel.
How Featured Events were Selected
All interested and accredited entities and organizations were invited to submit an application to host a Featured Event. The application and application guidelines were widely distributed within civil society. NGO CSocD received 119 applications in total.
Once all applications were received, a diverse Jury of unbiased and impartial representatives evaluated each application using a rubric designed based on the application guidelines. Using their evaluations as a guide, the Jury members selected a final 10 Featured Events with the intention of creating a diverse, impactful, and well-rounded program.
All selected Featured Events have now been notified.
Eligibility
All accredited and registered organizations participating in the Summit, including:
- Member States if in partnership with CSO;
- United Nations entities;
- ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations;
- Civil Society Organizations in receipt of special accreditation by the General Assembly.
Rights of Civil Society Participants
Organize or co-organize Featured Events
Organize or co-organize Side Events
Attend all open WSSD2 and Civil Society Forum sessions
Speak in designated civil society interventions (as per UN guidelines)
Network and engage in bilateral meetings and side discussions
Financial support
Currently, no financial support is available for travel or accommodations. Civil society organizations should plan accordingly and pursue independent funding to support participation.