IFA at the World Summit for Social Development 2025

About the World Summit on Social Development

The United Nations General Assembly, through its resolutions 78/261 and 78/318, decided to convene the “World Social Summit” in 2025, under the title “the Second World Summit for Social Development” to be held in Doha, Qatar from 4-6 November.

The Summit will convene heads of State or Government, along with other leaders and CSOs, to address gaps and recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action and its implementation and give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Advancing Healthy Ageing as a Cornerstone of Social Development

As populations age at unprecedented rates, the global community faces a decisive moment: will we adapt policies and systems to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to age with dignity, health, and voice, or risk leaving millions behind? Our work demonstrates that investing in healthy ageing strengthens entire societies, from resilient health systems and inclusive labour markets to sustainable urban development and intergenerational solidarity. The ageing agenda must be a core component of the sustainable development agenda.

Solution Sessions at WSSD

The following is a curated list of side events relevant to healthy ageing. Please note that the events are still evolving, and dates and times may change.

In Person Events

4 November 2025

Time	Main Organizer	Title
11:30-12:45	HelpAge International	From WSSD2 to action: achieving universal social protection in an ageing world
13:15-14:30	Thailand – Ministry of Social Development and Human Security	People at the centre of inclusive and sustainable development: challenges and opportunities for building a society for all ages – experiences from Asia and the Pacific
15:00-16:15	The International Longevity Centre Global Alliance	Longevity Levers: Unlocking strategies for a healthier, wealthier and more sustainable future
16:45-18:00	The International Federation on Ageing (IFA)	Building Age-Friendly Cities and Communities for Inclusive Social Development

5 November 2025

Time	Main Organizer	Title
11:30-12:45	UN Inter-Agency Group on Ageing (Co-Chairs DESA & ESCWA)	Global Research Agenda Update & GCC Older Person’s Well-being Index
13:15-14:30	Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)	The future of work, care and intergenerational solidarity in ageing societies
15:00-16:15	AARP	Action Plans on Ageing: Innovative Policy Tools to Drive Social Progress for All
16:45-18:00	Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA)	Experienced, Knowledgeable—and Underutilized: The Critical Role of Older Persons in the Workforce and the Future of Work

6 November 2025

Time	Main Organizer	Title
10:00-11:15	UNFPA, UN Women	Addressing Gender and Aging: Centering Older Women in Social Development Solutions

Virtual Events

* Date and time to be confirmed during week of WSSD

Main Organizer	Title
World Health Organization	Home and Community Based Care for Social Inclusion and Decent Work: Practical Pathways to Long Term Care
Age Knowble	From Potential to Progress: Empower Every Generation for Social Development in Asia and Africa

Side Events

For more information on parallel programmes, click here.

5-6 November 2025

The Civil Society Forum (5-6 November) and the Private Sector Forum (5 November) are being planned in collaboration with their respective stakeholders, who are leading the co-organization.

3 November 2025

Additional special events are also expected on (3 November), organized by Member States, on an alliance against hunger and poverty, and on a social policy solutions forum.

IFA’s In-Person Solution Session:

Building Age-Friendly Cities and Communities for Inclusive Social Development

Date and time: Tuesday, 4 November, 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Location: Qatar National Convention Centre, Room 5

Background

The world is urbanizing and ageing simultaneously. By 2030, over half of the global population will reside in urban areas, and one in six people will be over the age of 60. As cities expand and populations age, there is a pressing need to reshape urban environments to support the health, participation, and dignity of older persons. The concept of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (AFCCs), championed by the World Health Organization and woven into global frameworks such as the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Decade of Healthy Ageing, offers a vital pathway for achieving inclusive and equitable urban development.

By prioritizing accessibility, social inclusion, and responsive infrastructure, AFCC support people to remain active, connected, and independent as they age. Key domains, from housing, transportation, social participation, civic engagement, community support, to health services, are directly aligned with broader development objectives of reducing inequalities, fostering resilient infrastructure, and promoting health and well-being for all ages.

AFCC presents an immediately actionable, proven and adaptable solution to strengthen social development. As demographic shifts reshape the world, cities and communities that enable intergenerational solidarity, strengthen social cohesion, and the continued participation of older persons as workers, volunteers, caregivers, and leaders will stand to benefit from a more sustainable, prosperous, and resilient society.

Objectives

This in-person side event, organized by the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), in partnership with Government of Spain Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (IMSERSO), Government of Chile, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN ECLAC), WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC), AARP and International Longevity Centre – Canada will showcase replicable policies and innovative practices from cities and communities that have adopted an age-friendly framework that foster accessible infrastructure, social inclusion and active participation of older persons.

The Solution Session will also feature a special announcement and invitation from IMSERSO on the upcoming 3^rd World Congress of Age-friendly Cities and Communities to be held in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, from June 16-18.

This event aligns with the thematic focus of the Second World Summit on Social Development of advancing social integration, cross-cutting with productive employment and decent work, eradicating poverty, and other cross-cutting issues, and aims to accelerate progress on social inclusion and healthy ageing under the 2030 Agenda.

Key Themes

This Solution Session will focus on:

Integration of age-friendly approaches in urban planning, infrastructure, housing, and transport
Enhancing social protection, healthcare access, and digital inclusion for older adults through age-friendly environments
Multi-stakeholder partnerships including local governments, civil society, private sector, and academia
Leveraging technology and innovation in built environments for social inclusion and healthy ageing

Expected Outcomes

This Solution Session aims to:

Promote knowledge and awareness of Age-friendly Cities and Communities framework and initiatives to strengthen social development.
Share immediately actionable, adaptable and replicable models of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, including national and regional commitments.
Strengthen collaboration among UN agencies, governments, and civil society
Inform the Political Declaration of the Summit with concrete age-friendly social development practices and policy recommendations

Participants

This Solution Session will be relevant to:

Representatives of Member States, Permanent Missions to the United Nations, experts, civil society organizations, United Nations entities, and other relevant stakeholders attending the Second World Summit on Social Development in Doha, Qatar.

Co-organizers: