Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will lead the Indian delegation to the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD-2) to be held in Doha, Qatar, from 4–6 November 2025.

Dr. Mandaviya will participate in the Opening Plenary Meeting of the Summit, delivering India’s National Statement and joining world leaders in adopting the Doha Political Declaration. He will also address the High-Level Round Table on “Strengthening the Three Pillars of Social Development: Poverty Eradication, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All, and Social Inclusion”, sharing India’s transformative journey toward inclusive and digitally enabled growth that prioritises decent work and social protection.

As India takes the global stage at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, it does so as a nation that has achieved a remarkable milestone in poverty reduction. Between 2011 and 2023, 248 million Indians were lifted out of multidimensional poverty, reducing the share of people living below the international poverty line to just 2.3% in 2022-23. These gains are driven by flagship programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and the Jan Dhan financial inclusion initiative.

Equally notable is India’s rapid expansion of its social protection system, now among the largest in the world. Verified by the International Labour Organization (ILO), India’s social security coverage has surged from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefitting over 940 million citizens. This has been made possible through the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile) architecture, ensuring efficient, transparent, and direct benefit delivery to millions of households.

A key highlight of India’s engagement will be a side event hosted by NITI Aayog on “Pathways Out of Poverty: India’s Experience in Empowering the Last Mile”, scheduled for 5 November 2025. The session will showcase India’s achievements in poverty reduction, women’s economic empowerment through Self-Help Groups and cooperatives, and the expansion of social security for all.

The event will feature interventions from international partners, including Brazil, Maldives, and the ILO, underscoring India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its guiding principle of ensuring that no one is left behind.

Dr. Mandaviya is also scheduled to participate in the ILO-sponsored Ministerial Event on the Global Coalition for Social Justice, where he will reiterate India’s role as a champion of equitable growth and decent work.

On the sidelines of the Summit, the Union Minister will hold a series of bilateral meetings with Ministers from Qatar, Romania, Mauritius, and the European Union, as well as with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and senior UN officials. These interactions are expected to deepen collaboration on labour mobility, skilling, social protection, and employment generation.

The Minister will further attend an event on the National Career Service (NCS) Portal, jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour & Employment and the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC). The NCS platform has emerged as a vital bridge between job seekers and employers, promoting transparent and inclusive labour market access.

Additionally, a visit to Qatar’s Aspire Zone Complex and a site visit to key sports infrastructure facilities are planned as part of the exchange of best practices in sports management and youth engagement.

The World Summit for Social Development marks a significant milestone in the global effort to advance the objectives of the 1995 Copenhagen Summit — namely, poverty eradication, full and productive employment, and social inclusion. The Doha Summit provides a renewed platform for countries to reaffirm their commitment to these shared goals, exchange experiences, and strengthen international cooperation for inclusive and sustainable social progress.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya’s visit underscores India’s strong commitment to global cooperation for social justice and inclusive growth. Guided by the vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047”, India continues to demonstrate how digital innovation, financial inclusion, and community participation can together create pathways out of poverty and empower every citizen to lead a life of dignity.

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Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander