World Day of Social Justice 20 February

Renewed Commitment in the Post-Doha Context

In 2026, the World Day of Social Justice is commemorated under the theme “Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice.” This year’s observance takes place at a critical juncture, following the Second World Summit for Social Development and the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration. In reaffirming the commitments of the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration, Member States have underscored poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social inclusion as the interrelated pillars of social development.

This year’s theme reflects both recognition of progress achieved and acknowledgement of persistent and emerging challenges. While significant gains have been recorded in poverty reduction, education and social protection coverage, structural inequalities, labor market informality, gender disparities, and declining trust in institutions continue to impede inclusive and sustainable development. A renewed commitment therefore entails strengthening policy coherence across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, reinforcing multilateral cooperation, and placing equity and solidarity at the center of global policymaking.

From Political Commitment to Implementation

Guided by the Doha Political Declaration and the outcomes of the sixty-fourth session of the Commission for Social Development, the 2026 observance emphasizes the imperative of translating political commitments into concrete and measurable outcomes. Advancing social development and social justice requires coordinated, equitable and inclusive policies that integrate the social dimension across macroeconomic, labour, climate, digital, and industrial strategies.

In this regard, Member States have reaffirmed the need for macroeconomic frameworks that generate decent employment opportunities and living wages, strengthen labour market institutions, and ensure universal social protection. Particular emphasis is placed on promoting gender equality, expanding opportunities for young people, supporting transitions from the informal to the formal economy, and ensuring fair and inclusive transformations in the digital and green economies. Enhanced multi-stakeholder collaboration among governments, international organizations, social partners and civil society, is essential to mobilize resources, foster policy innovation, and accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no one behind.

The State of Social Justice: A Work in Progress
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The findings of the report highlight the urgency of embedding social justice at the core of policymaking across sectors and strengthening international cooperation to address global challenges, including climate change, digital transformation and demographic shifts.

Background
The International Labour Organization (ILO) unanimously adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization on 10 June 2008. This is the third major statement of principles and policies adopted by the International Labour Conference since the ILO’s Constitution of 1919. It builds on the Philadelphia Declaration of 1944 and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of 1998. The 2008 Declaration expresses the contemporary vision of the ILO’s mandate in the era of globalization.

This landmark Declaration is a powerful reaffirmation of ILO values. It is the outcome of tripartite consultations that started in the wake of the Report of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. By adopting this text, the representatives of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations from 182 member States emphasize the key role of our tripartite Organization in helping to achieve progress and social justice in the context of globalization.

Together, they commit to enhance the ILO’s capacity to advance these goals, through the Decent Work Agenda. The Declaration institutionalizes the Decent Work concept developed by the ILO since 1999, placing it at the core of the Organization’s policies to reach its constitutional objectives.

What is Decent Work?

The importance of decent work in achieving the adopted Agenda for Sustainable Development is highlighted by Goal 8 which aims to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”.

The Declaration comes at a crucial political moment, reflecting the wide consensus on the need for a strong social dimension to globalization in achieving improved and fair outcomes for all. It constitutes a compass for the promotion of a fair globalization based on decent work, as well as a practical tool to accelerate progress in the implementation of the Decent Work Agenda at the country level. It also reflects a productive outlook by highlighting the importance of sustainable enterprises in creating greater employment and income opportunities for all.

The General Assembly recognizes that social development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peace and security within and among nations and that, in turn, social development and social justice cannot be attained in the absence of peace and security, or in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

It further recognizes that globalization and interdependence are opening new opportunities through trade, investment and capital flows and advances in technology, including information technology, for the growth of the world economy and the development and improvement of living standards around the world, while at the same time there remain serious challenges, including serious financial crises, insecurity, poverty, exclusion and inequality within and among societies, and considerable obstacles to further integration and full participation in the global economy for developing countries, as well as some countries with economies in transition.

On 26 November 2007, the General Assembly declared that, starting from the sixty-third session of the General Assembly, 20 February will be celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice.