The window is now open for cooperatives and other organisations to become accredited for the UN Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), an event that will be a key milestone in advancing inclusive, sustainable societies.
The deadline to apply is Friday 13 June.
WSSD2 will bring together world leaders in Doha, Qatar, from 4 to 6 November 2025, to “redefine strategies for social progress, strengthen global partnerships, and promote inclusive policies that foster equitable opportunities for all”.
It will provide a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and joint solutions between governments, international organisations, the UN system, civil society, co-ops, academia, the private sector, and experts, with a shared goal to build societies that are more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.
The summit takes place thirty years after the first 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen.
“Building on the 10 Commitments of the 1995 Summit and the Copenhagen Declaration, the Second Summit will accelerate action on poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, and social inclusion, ensuring that no one is left behind in an increasingly complex and interconnected world,” says the WSSD2.
“It aims to address persistent gaps, reaffirm global commitment to social development, and give new momentum to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
WSSD2 will be an opportunity for cooperatives to play a key role in this process, including the Cooperatives and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50), which will present its Charter and Commitment Plan at the summit.
To attend the summit and its related events, cooperatives and other organisations that are not already accredited to the UN's Economic and Social Council must apply for Special Accreditation. Accredited organisations will then be able to register their authorised representatives when registration goes live in August.
To apply for Special Accreditation, applicants must submit:
1. A signed letter on official letterhead requesting accreditation
2. Proof of the organisation’s legal status (e.g., incorporation certificate)
3. A report outlining relevant activities over the past 12 months.
Applications will be reviewed by the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service and submitted for approval through the Office of the President of the General Assembly.
More information about WSSD2 and detailed instructions on how to apply for Special Accreditation can be found here.
