From Copenhagen to Doha: Why the Second World Summit for Social Development Matters for Africa

World leaders are meeting in Doha this week for the Second World Summit on Social Development (WSSD2), marking three decades since the first Summit in Copenhagen. For Africa, this event is not just a commemoration but a crucial chance to unite partners around building lasting social development in a fast-changing world.

Over the last thirty years, Africa has achieved progress in reducing extreme poverty, expanding education, and improving health outcomes. Currently, 31 African countries hold middle-income status, including both lower-middle and upper-middle-income economies.

Despite these advances, the continent still faces significant challenges such as climate shocks, economic instability, youth unemployment, and growing inequality. The focus today goes beyond lifting people out of poverty to ensuring sustainable prosperity that can withstand shocks.

A New Development Approach

The Second Summit serves as a platform for UNDP and African leaders to advocate for a new development model. This model emphasizes systemic, integrated, and inclusive progress rather than fragmented or reactive measures. It links social protection, productive opportunities, governance, and financing into a unified framework.

A Continent of Opportunity

Africa is the world’s youngest continent, with over 400 million youth ready to drive global innovation, labor markets, and economic growth.

"The question today is no longer only how to lift people out of poverty, but to ensure that people prosper, and that prosperity is sustainable and resistant to shocks."

This shifts the conversation towards resilience and long-term development.

Summary

The Second World Summit in Doha highlights Africa’s progress and ongoing challenges, promoting an integrated development strategy to secure sustainable growth driven by its youthful population.

United Nations Development Programme — 2025-11-05