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The ceremony marked the United Nations’ official assumption of the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) as the venue where world leaders will work to reinvigorate the global social pact.

The brief but symbolic event, held at the sprawling conference facility, was attended by senior officials from Qatar and the United Nations, accompanied by a formation of UN security officers and members of Qatar’s Lekhwiya police forces standing on either side of the two flagpoles.

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe UN protocol and security officers at the flag raising ceremony.

 

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Speaking at the ceremony, Li Junhua, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said the moment reflected a shared commitment to cooperation and collective progress.

“This moment formally marks the handover of this landmark facility to the United Nations,” he said.  “The QNCC is now transformed into a space where the global community will gather to advance solutions and renew hope.”

Ahmad Hassen Al-Hamadi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar welcomed the international community, emphasising the country’s support as host and partner in facilitating dialogue and cooperation at the highest level.

“We are confident that this Summit will provide a pivotal opportunity to reaffirm the political will and to capitalise on the abundant opportunities to accelerate and stimulate transformative actions to achieve social development and social justice for all, and accelerate progress for the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development].”

A pivotal gathering amid global challenges

Over the next several days, about 14,000 attendees – including Heads of State and Government, ministers, civil society leaders, youth delegates, workers and private sector representatives – will take part in plenaries, high-level roundtables and parallel forums focused on social protection, inequality, decent work and the inclusion of marginalised groups.

In a preview of the Summit last week, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that Secretary-General António Guterres will address the opening ceremony on Tuesday.

Mr. Guterres is expected to highlight progress since the first Social Summit in Copenhagen in 1995, while underscoring major global challenges, including widening inequalities, unemployment, poverty, conflicts and widespread human suffering.

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe A team of parachutists descend over the QNCC, each carrying a flag representing one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

 

SDG colours in the sky

Adding a striking visual flourish to Sunday’s ceremony, attention turned to the sky for a special performance organized by the Education Above All Foundation, in cooperation with Qatar’s Internal Security Forces and Joint Special Forces. A team of parachutists descended over the Qatar National Convention Centre, each carrying a flag representing one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The display symbolized the Foundation’s commitment to advancing education equity and sustainability, while also reflecting the broader aims of the Summit: to accelerate progress on social development and ensure no one is left behind.

The descent drew applause from delegates and onlookers, symbolising the Summit’s themes of unity, shared responsibility and collective action, and visually reinforcing the message that social development is inseparable from the full SDG agenda.

Youth voices take the spotlight

As leaders gather in Doha, efforts are also under way to bring young people into the conversation. UN DESA has teamed up with Mark Lee, the Korean-Canadian artist from global K-pop group NCT, for a short video message released on social media.

Shot in the style of an incoming video call, the clip shows Mark inviting viewers to “pick up” and reflect on what social progress means to them – from fairness and dignity to real opportunities to thrive.

With millions of followers and a strong global fan base, his message is helping spark conversation among younger audiences who are shaping change in online spaces every day.

“Young and old, we have a huge role to play,” he says in the video. “Our voices, our ideas, our creativity can bring people together. Together, we can show that when we move as one, we can make change happen.”

Marking Sunday’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the United Nations is calling for justice for those silenced, and protection for those still speaking truth to power – whether in conflict zones or in the online spaces where abuse is spreading fast.

“Media professionals around the globe face mounting perils in their pursuit of truth – including verbal abuse, legal threats, physical attacks, imprisonment, and torture. Some are even killed,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his message marking the day.

Cold cases

“Worldwide, nearly nine out of ten journalist killings remain unresolved.” He noted that Gaza has been “the deadliest place for journalists in any conflict”, urging “independent and impartial investigations.”

Mr. Guterres warned that impunity “is not only an injustice to the victims and their families – it is an assault on press freedom, an invitation to further violence, and a threat to democracy itself.”

He called on all governments to “investigate every case, prosecute every perpetrator, and ensure that journalists can do their jobs freely everywhere.”

Targeting women online

The UN culture and education agency UNESCO, which leads global efforts to defend press freedom, is spearheading this year’s campaign focused on the growing use of digital technology to target women journalists.

Under the theme Chat GBV: Raising awareness on AI-facilitated gender-based violence against women journalists, UNESCO warns that the rise of generative artificial intelligence has amplified the reach and impact of online abuse.

“When an AI-generated deepfake of a woman journalist goes viral, it’s not just her image that is attacked – it is her credibility, safety, and voice,” the agency said.

Such attacks are part of what experts call Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, a growing form of harassment designed to silence, humiliate and discredit women in the media.

UNESCO’s The Chilling study revealed that 73 per cent of women journalists have faced online threats, and one in four has experienced offline attacks as a result.

More broadly, 58 per cent of young women and girls globally have suffered harassment on social media platforms, underscoring the scale of the problem.

“Digital spaces must be made safe for those who gather and report the news,” said the Secretary-General. “When journalists are silenced, we all lose our voice.”

The message from the UN and working journalists is clear: justice for crimes against them simply for doing their jobs must be non-negotiable, and digital spaces must be reclaimed from those who weaponise technology to spread fear and hate.