A flag-raising ceremony was held at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha on Sunday to mark the opening of the Second World Summit for Social Development.

The high-level event, which runs from November 4 to 6, will bring together heads of state, senior government officials, and representatives of international and regional organizations.

Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Li Junhua, UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, other senior Qatari officials and United Nations representatives attended the flag hoisting ceremony.

Dr. Al Hammadi highlighted Qatar’s pride in hosting the summit, held 30 years after the first social summit in Copenhagen, and reiterated the country’s commitment to an inclusive and sustainable approach to social development, as well as its dedication to multilateral cooperation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The summit was further symbolized by the raising of Qatari and UN flags by members of the Lekhwiya force and UN security, accompanied by celebratory music from the Lekhwiya band.

The scene marked the United Nations’ official assumption of the Qatar National Convention Centre, reinforcing the strategic partnership between Qatar and the UN, highlighted by the recent opening of the UN House in Doha.

A highlight of the event was a parachute display organized by the Education Above All Foundation - featuring parachutists carrying flags bearing the banners of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals - conducted in cooperation with Lekhwiya and the Qatar Air Sports Committee of the Joint Special Forces.

This striking visual underscored the summit’s emphasis on advancing education equity and sustainability, as well as its broader message of unity, shared responsibility, and collective action in pursuit of social justice and progress.

Efforts to include youth voices were also prominent, with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs joining with Korean-Canadian artist Mark Lee of K-pop group NCT for a social media video message.

In the clip, Lee encourages young people to consider the meaning of social progress and underscores the critical role that creativity and collective action - across generations - play in driving social change.

The ceremony concluded with optimism, symbolizing Qatar’s shared commitment with the United Nations to supporting joint efforts for inclusive, sustainable social development and the advancement of the SDGs. The summit aims to accelerate global dialogue and action so that no one is left behind.

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