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Defending truth-tellers, from war zones to the digital frontline

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Category: English Media

Published: Saturday, 01 November 2025 18:25

Written by Eager

Towards a fairer world: Leaders gather in Doha to renew social pact

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Category: English Media

Published: Wednesday, 29 October 2025 16:07

Written by Eager

By Vibhu Mishra

What does it mean to build a society where everyone truly belongs? In a world increasingly shaped by digital divides, demographic shifts and climate disruption, the promise of ‘social development for all’ feels urgent, if elusive.

Yet, the idea that development should be people-centred, inclusive and just is far from new. It’s a vision the world committed to 30 years ago at a UN summit in Copenhagen and one that still resonates today.

Next week, leaders from across the globe will gather in Doha, Qatar, for a high-level UN conference aimed at reigniting that vision. From 4 to 6 November, the Second World Summit for Social Development will convene Heads of State, ministers, civil society and experts to assess progress, confront persistent gaps, and chart a renewed path forward.  

At its heart lies a simple but powerful question: how can we ensure that no one is left behind?

“The Summit comes at a critical moment,” said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.  

He explained: “Inequalities are widening. Trust is eroding. Communities are struggling with conflict, climate shocks and rapid technological change. And yet, we also see extraordinary innovation, resilience and solidarity. This is our chance to rebuild trust between governments and their people – and among nations.”

A global call to action

Bjørg Sandkjær, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said the Summit represents a “global call to action” at a time when more than one billion people still live in complex poverty and 40 per cent of the world’s population lacks access to social protection.  

The meeting, she told UN News, is about renewing trust in collective progress – “trust that we can make a difference.”

The gathering follows months of intergovernmental negotiations in New York that culminated in agreement on the Doha Political Declaration, expected to be formally adopted at the opening session.  

The Declaration is at the heart of the Summit, emphasised Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN.

“It is a global call to action recommitting governments to creating an enabling economic, political, social, cultural and legal environment to achieve social development for all,” she said.

UN Photo/Manuel Elías

 

Global implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is facing significant challenges, with progress on several targets slowing or regressing.

A pivotal moment

With just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the world is lagging badly on many fronts. Progress in reducing poverty has slowed, gender equality has stalled and many young people face precarious futures.

Last year, when Member States called for this Summit, they sent a clear message: social development must once again take centre stage, explained ASG Sandkjær.  

It is about recommitting to the core of the 2030 Agenda and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Dynamic and inclusive

Alongside the official plenaries, a parallel programme will add a participatory and forward-looking dimension to the Summit.  

A Civil Society Forum, Private Sector Forum and interactive Solutions Square will spotlight innovations in employment, social protection and community resilience. Youth and academic networks will take centre stage, embodying a spirit of co-creation and shared responsibility.

A new Doha Solutions Platform for Social Development, jointly launched by the host Qatar, along with France, will spotlight real-world commitments and new initiatives – from policy reforms to partnerships addressing poverty, work and inclusion.

“Doha once again stands as a symbol of global solidarity, where commitments inspire actions, partnerships, drive progress and the shared vision of an inclusive, sustainable and peaceful future for all comes to life,” said Ambassador Al-Thani.

© UNICEF/Pun

 

Young climate activists in Maldives highlight key messages, urging climate action.

Coming full circle

For Ms. Sandkjær, who attended the first World Summit in Copenhagen in 1995 as a young activist, Doha represents both continuity and change. Back then, she recalled, there was great optimism – a belief that multilateralism and cooperation would keep advancing.

“Today’s young people face tougher challenges – misinformation, climate anxiety, distrust,” she said. “But my message to them is simple: your engagement matters. Raise your voice, form partnerships, push for action.”

From words to action

The Summit’s success will not be measured by speeches but by implementation, she emphasized.

With a strong declaration and partnerships already in place, “the real test,” she said, “is translating commitments into real improvements in people’s lives – decent jobs, social protection, inclusion. That’s how we’ll know we’ve succeeded.”

UN News reporting live!

As world leaders gather in Doha, expectations are high – and so is the sense of urgency. Thirty years after Copenhagen, the task remains the same: to build a world where progress is measured not only in wealth, but in well-being, equality and human dignity.

UN News will be reporting live from Doha throughout the Summit, bringing stories, interviews and insights from world leaders, youth activists, civil society and innovators driving change.

Follow our coverage across digital and social platforms for real-time updates and human stories from this milestone gathering for social development.

 

President Trump Delivers Speech at a Dinner with Business Leaders in Tokyo, Japan

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Category: English Media

Published: Thursday, 30 October 2025 11:27

Written by Eager

Trump’s remarks were both friendly and direct. He said:

• “You’re making a lot of money right now… today hit a historic high, it really did. You’re making a lot of money.”
• “This room is filled with extremely successful and outstanding businesspeople—far above the ordinary.”
• He humorously added, “If anyone hasn’t heard, I’d be surprised,” referring to his upcoming meeting with the President of China.
• He emphasized, “Our border is now completely closed... We’ve taken in 25 people—millions of people. Many of them shouldn’t have been there.”
• He remarked that he “doesn’t like” wars, but candidly said, “I think this trip… coming here was easier than going to the Middle East.”
• When discussing energy and technology, Trump said the U.S. had authorized private companies to build large-scale power plants to meet the massive electricity demands of the AI and semiconductor industries. “You have your own power, you can build it—build it. The faster you go, the better,” he said.
• He revealed that under “today’s new trade agreements and private sector deals with Japan,” Japan would invest $550 billion in the U.S., “creating great wealth and security for both sides.”
• He specifically mentioned Japan’s involvement in the U.S. market—purchasing American trucks, corn, semiconductors, and shipbuilding services—and noted that cooperation in “building ships” is accelerating.
• On environmental and regulatory reform, he emphasized, “We once had a dead country... now it’s the hottest country in the world.” He said the U.S. is “returning to its status as a manufacturing power.”
• He also joked in a casual tone, “If anyone in this room hasn’t done anything yet, raise your hand—we’ll throw you out.”
• Finally, he expressed confidence in Japan’s market, in everyone present, and in the future of U.S.–Japan relations: “I am more confident than ever that the friendship between the U.S. and Japan is strong, prosperous, and will be greater than ever before.”

This dinner was not only a business gathering but also a stage highlighting the Trump administration’s “investment–trade–security” triad strategy. According to media reports, Japan committed to a strategic investment of up to $550 billion in the U.S., covering sectors such as energy, semiconductors, rare earths, and shipbuilding. In his speech, Trump repeatedly linked investment, trade, and manufacturing revival with the U.S.–Japan alliance, conveying that their cooperation goes beyond diplomacy and security—it is deeply rooted in shared economic interests and supply chain restructuring.

The event also reflected Trump’s pro-business, fast-approval, and deregulation-oriented governance philosophy. He stressed that private companies could “start work immediately” without “years of approval,” calling this a key competitive advantage of the U.S. In addition, he presented border security, withdrawal from foreign wars, support for domestic manufacturing, and a return to energy independence as essential components of his economic message.

From his remarks, it was clear that Trump envisions the next stage of U.S.–Japan cooperation entering an “accelerated track”: large-scale Japanese capital flowing into the U.S., boosting American manufacturing and technology industries, and jointly developing key sectors like shipbuilding, semiconductors, and rare earths. This move could have major implications for U.S. economic growth, Japan’s exports, and global industrial distribution. At the same time, Trump’s candid references to future global conflicts—especially the Russia–Ukraine situation and border issues—underscored his view that “national security, trade, manufacturing, and investment” are interconnected rather than separate issues.

An Era of Geoeconomics: President von der Leyen at the Berlin Global Dialogue

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Category: English Media

Published: Wednesday, 29 October 2025 13:39

Written by Eager