The UN Office in Brussels and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are jointly hosting a hybrid conference to hear from key stakeholders about the state of play in the preparations for the Second World Summit for Social Development and its Political Declaration, and their aspirations for the Summit and its follow-up.
Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025
Time: 14:30 until 16:30
Venue: UN House, boulevard du Régent/Regentlaan 37, 1000 Brussels
Register here
At a time when inequalities are deepening, geopolitical tensions are rising, and the multilateral system is under strain, the forthcoming Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, 4–6 November 2025) offers a vital opportunity to strengthen the social pillar of sustainable development and rally the global community behind ambitious social goals.
The Summit will aim to adopt an action-oriented Political Declaration, agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations, co-facilitated by Belgium and Morocco, and is expected to give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This timely event on Tuesday 7 October will be an opportunity to hear from key stakeholders about the state of play in the preparations for the Summit and its Political Declaration, and their aspirations for the Summit and its follow-up.
The conference will bring together representatives from the EU institutions, the EU and UN Member States, employers’ and workers’ organizations, NGOs and think tanks. A welcome coffee will be offered with an opportunity to network with key stakeholders and partners. Further information on the programme is detailed below.
Register here by 3 October to confirm your participation. We look forward to lively and interactive discussions.
14:30
Welcome coffee
15:00
Introductory remarks by Camilla Brückner, Director of the UN/UNDP Office in Brussels
15:03-15:10
Keynote address by Heidy Rombouts, Director General Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
Update on the Political Declaration
15:10-16:10
Panel – Shaping commitments: State of play in the preparations for the World Social Summit
- Annukka Ojala, Member of Cabinet of the Executive Vice President for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission
- Beate Andrees, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia
- Arne Franke, Member of the Management Board of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
- Anton Leppik, Executive Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation’s Pan-European Regional Council (ITUC-PERC)
- Ingrid Macdonald, UN Resident Coordinator in Albania
- Kostas Papadakis, Principal Social Affairs Officer, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
A discussion around the three pillars of social development: Poverty eradication, Full and productive employment and decent work for all, and Social integration, followed by a Q&A
Moderated by Carlien van Empel, Director of the ILO Office for the European Union and the Benelux countries
16:10-16:25
Concluding statements – Raising ambitions for social development: Expectations for transformative outcomes at the World Social Summit
- H.E. Ib Petersen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations in Geneva
- H.E. Mohammed Ameur, Ambassador of Morocco to Belgium and Luxembourg (tbc)
- H.E. Albana Dautllari, Ambassador of Albania to Belgium
Moderated by Camilla Brückner
16:25-16:30
Closing remarks by Camilla Brückner
