Tunis, July 3, 2025 – The Europe Today: Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Omar Hilale, has called on countries to work collectively toward a unified global vision to address growing social development challenges. His remarks came during the closing session of a high-level Arab regional meeting held this week in Tunis in preparation for the Second World Summit on Social Development.
Speaking via video, Ambassador Hilale emphasized that a cohesive approach rooted in respect for cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity is essential to ensuring global peace, prosperity, and social stability—particularly within Arab nations.
Hilale, who was appointed in March 2024 by the President of the UN General Assembly to co-facilitate negotiations on the World Summit’s political declaration alongside Belgium’s ambassador, underlined the need for fresh policies and innovative strategies that reflect the unique contexts of each country and region. He advocated for turning diversity into a driver of excellence while preserving national priorities.
Highlighting the ongoing preparatory negotiations for the November 2025 summit in Doha, the Moroccan diplomat praised the current atmosphere of openness, inclusiveness, and transparency. He expressed confidence that these efforts would lead to a concise and impactful political declaration, focused on coordinated international action and consensus-building.
“The World Summit’s outcomes should strengthen Arab participation in shaping global social development policy,” Hilale noted.
Arab Regional Meeting Addresses Key Social Challenges
The regional gathering, held over two days, centered around three main themes: multidimensional poverty in the Arab world, the social and economic inclusion of vulnerable groups, and social development amidst armed conflict and natural disasters.
Participants called for the creation of a cohesive Arab vision aligned with the commitments made at the 1995 Copenhagen Summit. Discussions emphasized the importance of fostering social participation, eradicating poverty and exclusion, promoting inclusion, and creating decent employment opportunities through the modernization of social policies.
Morocco Highlights National Efforts
Also representing Morocco, Rachid Kadida, Director of Social Development at the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, presented Morocco’s experience in combating poverty and promoting social cohesion.
Kadida detailed the country’s strategic investments in social protection and inclusion, programs targeting vulnerable populations, and enhancements to care services aimed at empowering marginalized groups.
Draft Document to Shape Arab Input at Global Summit
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a draft document outlining Arab priorities for the upcoming World Summit. While approval of the document was postponed to allow for the incorporation of proposed amendments, it is expected to serve as a key reference for Arab states during negotiations in Doha.
The Second World Summit on Social Development, scheduled for November 2025 in Doha, Qatar, aims to formulate coordinated international strategies to address pressing social development issues and foster inclusive, sustainable growth worldwide.
