Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni K. Singh, represented President Irfaan Ali and the Government and People of Guyana at the United Nations Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha, Qatar, from November 4–6.
The summit brought together Heads of State, government ministers, multilateral organisations, and civil society groups from around the world to address remaining gaps in global social development and to recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, while advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
During the Plenary session, Minister Singh expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Highness the Amir, and the Government and People of Qatar, for hosting the summit and generously welcoming Guyana’s delegation. He highlighted that the summit provides an invaluable platform for countries to share experiences—both successes and challenges—in implementing the Declaration and Programme of Action that stemmed from the first Social Summit in Copenhagen thirty years ago.
Dr. Singh emphasised that the summit offered a critical moment for reflection on global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and the work that remains. He reaffirmed Guyana’s unwavering commitment to the Copenhagen Declaration, which is central to the Government’s policy approach that places citizens at the heart of national development.
“Guyana continues to rapidly expand education, healthcare, and other social services, while creating opportunities for decent work, promoting entrepreneurship, and empowering women,” Minister Singh said. He underscored the importance of integrating economic and social policies and fostering inclusive, participatory approaches to tackle poverty and other socio-economic challenges.
Highlighting Guyana’s achievements, Minister Singh noted that fully realising global social development objectives requires continuous international cooperation and solidarity. He called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism and genuine collaboration among nations in pursuit of a better world for all.
Also accompanying the delegation was Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, Mr. Safraaz Shadood.
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