Congo prepares for participation in Second World Summit for Social Development with support from United Nations

The Republic of Congo is mobilizing to make its voice heard at the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), scheduled to take place in Doha from November 4 to 6, 2025. On September 18 and 19, a national workshop brought together in Brazzaville representatives from ministries, technical experts, and United Nations agencies present in the country. The goal: to build a clear and ambitious national position on major social development issues.

Why this summit matters

The World Summit for Social Development is one of the largest international events dedicated to the fight against poverty, exclusion, and unemployment. Thirty years after the founding summit in Copenhagen (1995), countries from around the world are coming together to adopt new commitments for the period 2025-2030, with a shared ambition: to guarantee decent work, universal social protection, and to make further progress in eradicating poverty as well as promoting social inclusion.

In a global context where 3.8 billion people still have no social protection, these discussions are crucial. They will enable each country to present its priorities and solutions tailored to its national context.

At this Summit, each country will have to make its voice heard and present its endogenous solutions that can be replicated by other countries.

A workshop to build a strong national position

The preparatory national consultations brought together all national and international actors involved in social development.

Over two consecutive days, participants worked in specialized working groups on four areas to structure the national recommendations that will be presented and defended by Congo at WSSD2: Productive employment and decent work, Social integration and inclusion, Poverty reduction, and Social protection.

The recommendations resulting from this work will feed into Congo's national contribution, ensuring the country's active and consistent presence at the plenary sessions and round tables in Doha.

“This consultation aims to prepare a strong national contribution for the Doha Summit by mobilizing all stakeholders around a clear vision and concrete commitments,” said Dr. Vincent Dossou, WHO Representative in Congo, who delivered the opening address on behalf of the United Nations System.

Identifying challenges and concrete solutions

UN agencies (UNECA, WFP, ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF) outlined the main challenges and best practices in their respective fields—education, decent work, food security, and child protection.

The Congolese government presented several key instruments.

The Director of Studies and Planning at MASSAH discussed the National Social Action Policy (PNAS), which has a budget of over 181 billion CFA francs over four years. This policy aims to transform economic development into social dividends through three structural programs: targeted social action, concrete solidarity with the creation of the National Solidarity Fund, and operational humanitarian action.

The Directorate General of Planning and Development detailed the National Development Plan (PND), which aims to build a stronger and more resilient economy, and the memorandum of understanding with the IMF, which requires rigorous monitoring of social spending in seven key areas (health, education, infrastructure, water/electricity, social protection, agriculture, and women's empowerment).

Finally, the financing of social development was at the heart of the discussions: faced with high debt and an economy that is still heavily dependent on oil, Congo is exploring new avenues, such as social bonds, climate finance, and strengthening partnerships with the diaspora and local communities.

A joint commitment by Congo and the United Nations

The Brazzaville workshop illustrates the joint commitment by Congo and the United Nations system to building sustainable and inclusive social development. The aim is to place people—and in particular the most vulnerable—at the heart of public policy.

Dr. Dossou praised the spirit of unity and commitment shown by the participants: “This meeting must be a turning point in Congo's social development.”

In November, Congo will bring a strong voice and concrete proposals to Doha, helping to shape new global commitments for social inclusion, decent work, and protection for all.