Mercy Global Action at the Second World Summit for Social Development

The Second World Social Summit was held from November 4-6, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. Building on the legacy of Copenhagen’s landmark 1995 World Summit for Social Development, this event convened heads of state, government leaders, international organizations, civil society, academia, private-sector experts, and other stakeholders to renew global momentum for social development, justice, and inclusion in line with the 2030 Agenda.

The Summit hosted over 8,000 attendees, including more than 40 heads of state and government, and featured high-level roundtables, in-person and virtual “Solutions Sessions,” an exhibition hall, and stakeholder-led fora and other events focusing on key themes of poverty eradication, the promotion of decent work, and social inclusion. Many events focused on reaching marginalized communities and those left furthest behind, including through universal social protection, food and health security, climate resilience, digital inclusion, and gender equality. 

The main outcome of the Second World Social Summit was the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration, which reaffirms shared values of justice, equality, and inclusion, and sets new commitments for social development in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Declaration also commits to a high-level review in 2031 and ongoing monitoring at the Commission for Social Development. In a moment marked by a fragile multilateral system, the Doha Declaration is a hopeful sign of political will and cooperation among countries.

The Civil Society Forum at the Summit was co-hosted by the NGO Committee for Social Development, of which Mercy International Association is a long-standing member. It offered a crucial platform for marginalized voices and grassroots perspectives on social justice, gaps in global solidarity, and innovative policy solutions to achieve the commitments of both the Copenhagen and Doha Declarations. 

In preparation for Doha, Mercy Global Action assembled a dedicated World Social Summit Task Force representing 11 different countries from the global Mercy community. The Task Force developed a survey to gather experiences and insights from people and communities around the Mercy World who are at the forefront of poverty eradication and social inclusion. The Task Force then shared the results of this survey, which came from 13 countries and 6 continents, through Mercy Global Action’s social media accounts. 

Cecilie Kern, MGA’s Global Policy and Research Advocate also showcased the results of the survey and the Mercy tradition of service to those most excluded at the Featured Event in Doha entitled  “Designing Cohesive Societies: Inclusive Policies for Social Unity and Equity,” inspired by Commitment 4 of the Copenhagen Declaration. The panel underscored how core values - human rights, tolerance, respect for diversity, equality, and solidarity - have long been embodied by faith and spiritual actors serving marginalized communities. This was an important opportunity to bring the voices of people at the grassroots into the Second World Social Summit in Doha, and to highlight good practices from the global Mercy community.

Rising inequality, the climate crisis, demographic shifts, and rapid technological change have made it more urgent than ever to recommit to social progress. The Second World Social Summit affirmed that building inclusive, flourishing societies requires justice, solidarity, and dignity. Mercy Global Action urges Member States and the UN to fully recognize and include faith actors in all levels of global dialogue and implementation. Faith-based organizations such as Mercy congregations and ministries offer values-driven commitment, local knowledge, and trusted relationships essential for bridging divides and building social cohesion. Only through true inclusion, dialogue, and a renewed global social contract can sustainable social development for all become a reality.