4-5 November 2025
10:00–18:00
Beirut time
Special event

ESCWA Urban Portfolio at the 2025 World Summit for Social Development

Location
  • Doha, Qatar
Contact information
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ESCWA is co-organizing two side events at the Second World Summit for Social Development.

The first side event, “Measuring What Matters: Quality of Life as a Compass for 21st Century Social Development” (4 November 2025, 15:00–16:15), organized by ESCWA in partnership with the Quality of Life Program – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UN-Habitat, highlights how Quality of Life considerations can provide a transformative framework for advancing people-centred and inclusive development agendas. It showcases the role of the Quality of Life Index as a globally relevant and locally adaptable tool for evidence-based policymaking, as well as for advancing SDG localization and accelerating transformational change.

The second side event, “Housing as a Human Right: Regional Insights and Strategies for the Arab World” (5 November 2025, 11:30–12:45), organized by ESCWA in partnership with the League of Arab States, UN-Habitat, and Habitat for Humanity, explores the state of adequate housing across the Arab region, emphasizing its role as a cornerstone of inclusive social development, human dignity, and resilience.

Outcome document

The sessions demonstrated growing momentum for adopting people-centered frameworks in social development, with Quality of Life and adequate housing emerging as key entry points for integrated policymaking. Presentations stressed that multidimensional wellbeing metrics and rights-based housing approaches help uncover structural inequalities and guide targeted interventions. Participants emphasized the need for robust data systems, coordinated policies, and stronger partnerships across sectors and institutions. The discussions showed that prioritizing Quality of Life and access to adequate housing is essential for reducing poverty, promoting social inclusion, and supporting resilient, future-ready societies in line with global commitments.

  • Multidimensional Quality of Life frameworks are essential for people-centered social development and for addressing gaps not captured by traditional economic indicators.
  • Cities and governments increasingly rely on human-centric data tools, such as the QoLI, to better understand lived experiences and design more inclusive policies.
  • Adequate housing remains a central social development challenge in the Arab region, deeply connected to poverty reduction, employment, social inclusion, and resilience.
  • Inter-generational housing inequality was highlighted as a rising concern requiring targeted policies and long-term investment.
  • Both sessions underscored the need for coherent, cross-sectoral approaches that link housing, wellbeing, urban planning, social protection, and climate resilience.
  • Collaboration among ESCWA, UN-Habitat, the League of Arab States, member states, academia, and international partners is essential for scaling solutions across the region.

Documents

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