By Professor Manohar Pawar
Past President, International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD)
On Monday, 2 February 2026, ICSD’s first-ever side event, themed “Implementation of the Doha Political Declaration: Strategies for Cross-Sector Collaborations and Integrated Approaches,” was organised at the United Nations 64th session of the Commission for Social Development in New York. The side event was curated and moderated by Professor Manohar Pawar, past President of ICSD, who coordinated with governmental and non-governmental agencies and multilateral organisations.
The side event was co-sponsored by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD); the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development (SRRD); the Centre for Social Development (CSD), Washington University in St. Louis; the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW); the NGO Committee on Financing for Development (CFD); and the Charles Sturt University Social Work and Social Development Research Alliance.
The main objectives of the side event were to: raise awareness of the Doha Political Declaration, and the commitments and actions needed; explore how multiple sectors — government, non-governmental organisations, business, universities, and civil society — can work together to implement the Doha Political Declaration; discuss the challenges and strategies for cross-sector collaboration and integrated and coordinated approaches; brainstorm policies and programmes needed to facilitate multisector collaboration and cooperation; and consider ways and means of capacity building across these sectors, including conducting research, training and evaluation to develop evidence-based policies.
Her Excellency Ambassador Yojna Patel, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, inaugurated ICSD’s first side event. Addressing the theme and objectives of the event, Prof. Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development; Dr Katja Hujo, UNRISD; Prof. Ram Ramanathan, ICSD Vice President; Prof. Jin Huang, Co-Director of the CSD; Dr Sergei Zelenev, President of the ICSW; and Ms Anita Thomas, Chair of the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, presented their views.
Welcoming the audience, the Ambassador and the distinguished panellists, moderator Prof. Pawar emphasised the significance of ICSD’s inaugural side event, both for ICSD and for the field of social development. In her inaugural speech, the Ambassador highlighted India’s achievements relating to poverty alleviation, women-led development, technology sharing, and South-South cooperation.
The other eminent panellists reflected on current global crises — including poverty, growing inequality, conflicts, wars and the climate crisis — and stressed the urgency of actionable strategies to implement the Doha Political Declaration. Highlights of their presentations included the following key strategies: advancing dignity for all through collective action; reinforcing partnerships and international cooperation; building solidarity; and developing inclusive and integrated policies focused on a new eco-social contract.
Side event participants at the 64th Commission for Social Development, New York, 2 February 2026.
Addressing the financing gap, in line with the Sevilla Commitment, requires mobilising resources and reforming the international financial architecture. Tackling the concentration of wealth and enhancing financial capability and asset building among the poor were also emphasised. It is critical to harness digital technology to advance social progress. The role of spirituality in achieving social development was acknowledged and encouraged. Social workers, as a frontline workforce, can play a critical role in social development. The side event called for decolonising research and building coalitions of policy actors to drive transformative change.
To facilitate cross-sector collaboration, some of the key challenges discussed were: a lack of institutional and sectoral coordination, as actors often work in silos; power and resource imbalances among stakeholders; limited capacity in some countries for data generation and sharing; capacity-building gaps; and frequent changes in policies and funding priorities due to changing political interests.
Accordingly, some of the strategies identified included adopting a whole-of-government approach; embedding authentic participation in policymaking; focusing on local levels through place-based and community-centred models; supporting evidence-informed policymaking; strengthening collaboration among governments, civil society, the private sector and academic institutions; and building coalition-based advocacy.
Governments need to create enabling legal and policy frameworks and a conducive organisational climate so that other sectors can join hands in implementing the Doha Political Declaration.
In closing, Prof. Pawar proposed the establishment of a World Social Development Day to raise global awareness and strengthen commitment to implementing the Doha Political Declaration. The event also laid a strong foundation for ICSD to deepen and expand its contributions at UN platforms, leveraging its ECOSOC consultative status to advance global social development.