< Contents >
Summary Introduction

 I. Africa
   A. Main social development challenges
     1. Poverty in Africa is pervasive, with rural areas and children bearing the brunt
     2. High levels of inequality exacerbate the impacts of widespread poverty
     3. To build an inclusive society, Africa requires a healthy and a well-educated labour force
     4. A poorly prepared workforce faces challenges in the labour market
   B. Policy developments and best practices to respond to the challenges
   C. Policy lessons for the future   
Bibliography

 II. Latin America and the Caribbean
   A. Main social development challenges 
     1. Poverty and extreme poverty 
     2. Inequality and low social mobility and cohesion 
     3. Labour inclusion
     4. Health 
     5. Education 
     6. Social protection
   B. Recent policy developments and best practices to respond to social  
development challenges
   1. Poverty and extreme poverty
   2. Inequality
   3. Labour inclusion
   4. Health
   5. Education
   C. Policy lessons and recommendations for the future
   Bibliography

 III. Asia and the Pacific 
   A. Main social development challenges
     1. Poverty
     2. Inequality
     3. Labour markets
     4. Social protection
     5. Health
     6. Education
  B. Recent policy developments and best practices to respond to the challenges of social development
     1. Progress in implementing nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures and good practices
     2. Active and healthy ageing policies and stronger intergenerational relations
     3. Creating safe, orderly and regular migration 
     4. Investment in the care economy
     5. Promotion of gender equality in education 
   C. Policy lessons for the future and gaps to address in addition to new  
and emerging challenges
   Bibliography 

 IV. Arab region 
   A. Main social development challenges
     1. Poverty and extreme poverty
     2. Inequality
     3. Labour inclusion 
     4. Health 
     5. Education
   B. Recent policy developments and best practices to respond to the challenges of social development
     1. Poverty and extreme poverty
     2. Inequality
     3. Labour inclusion
     4. Health
     5. Education
   C. Policy lessons for the future
     1. Poverty and extreme poverty
     2. Inequality 
     3. Labour inclusion 
     4. Health 
     5. Education
   Bibliography 

V. United Nations Econonomic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region 
   A. Main social development challenges 
     1. Poverty and extreme poverty 
     2. Inequality 
     3. Labour inclusion
     4. Health 
     5. Education
     6. Pensions 
     7. Social protection coverage of households and children 
   B. Recent policy developments and best practices to respond to the challenges of social development 
     1. Poverty and extreme poverty
     2. Inequality 
     3. Labour inclusion
     4. Health 
     5. Education 
   C. Policy lessons for the future
   Bibliography

VI. Issues, recommendations and guidelines in preparation for the Second World Summit for Social Development 
   A. Persistent obstacles and new challenges for inclusive social development 
   B. From the “whats” to the “hows”: 10 strategic guidelines on the road  
to the Second World Summit for Social Development
     1. A world free from hunger and poverty is possible: social protection systems are fundamental
     2. Inequality is the elephant in the room: reducing it requires comprehensive policies
     3. Care policies must be built into the design of social protection systems  as a way of moving towards gender equality
     4. Transforming education and vocational training systems is required for multiple productive, well-being and social objectives 
     5. Universal health coverage is a key public good
     6. Integrated employment and labour inclusion strategies to overcome poverty  and reduce inequalities
     7. An inclusive digital transformation
     8. Strengthening institutional capacities and frameworks for social policy  
is essential to implement inclusive social development policies
     9. Efforts to secure progress towards inclusive social development demand global, regional and national commitments
     10. Financing for development: the role of global and national fiscal compacts
   Bibliography 

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Title : On the Road to the Second World Summit for Social Development: Contributions From the Regional Commissions (LC/TS.2024/147)

Publication : UN, 2025 (117 pages)

​URL : https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/WSSD2-regional-social-development-challenges.pdf