Mandaviya to lead Indian delegation to World Summit for Social Development

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will lead the Indian delegation to the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD-2) to be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 4–6.

He will participate in the Opening Plenary Meeting of the Summit, delivering India’s National Statement and joining world leaders in adopting the Doha Political Declaration.

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He will also address the High-Level Round Table on “Strengthening the Three Pillars of Social Development: Poverty Eradication, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All, and Social Inclusion”, sharing India’s transformative journey toward inclusive and digitally enabled growth that prioritises decent work and social protection.

As India takes the global stage at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, it does so as a nation that has achieved a remarkable milestone in poverty reduction.

Between 2011 and 2023, 248 million Indians were lifted out of multidimensional poverty, reducing the share of people living below the international poverty line to just 2.3% in 2022-23. These gains are driven by flagship programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and the Jan Dhan financial inclusion initiative.

Equally notable is India’s rapid expansion of its social protection system, now among the largest in the world. Verified by the International Labour Organization (ILO), India’s social security coverage has surged from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefitting over 940 million citizens.

This has been made possible through the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile) architecture, ensuring efficient, transparent, and direct benefit delivery to millions of households.

A key highlight of India’s engagement will be a side event hosted by NITI Aayog on “Pathways Out of Poverty: India’s Experience in Empowering the Last Mile”, scheduled for 5 November. The session will showcase India’s achievements in poverty reduction, women’s economic empowerment through Self-Help Groups and cooperatives, and the expansion of social security for all.