ITUC statement on the 2025 WSSD Political Declaration – International Trade Union Confederation

Report on the Doha Political Declaration and its Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals

Recommitment to the 2030 Agenda and Core SDGs

The Doha Political Declaration reaffirms commitments to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It identifies three interlinked priorities that are foundational to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• Poverty Eradication: Directly addressing SDG 1 (No Poverty).
• Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All: Central to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Social Integration: A key component of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

The Declaration establishes that social development is intrinsically linked to peace, security, and human rights, reinforcing the principles of SDG 16.

Advancing Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

Commitments to Labour Rights and Social Dialogue

The Declaration embeds the principles of decent work throughout its text, aligning with the targets of SDG 8. It outlines a strategic framework for social development through specific commitments to:

1. Strengthen labour market institutions and social dialogue.
2. Promote respect for international labour standards and workers’ rights.
3. Protect and invest in mechanisms for freedom of association and collective bargaining.
4. Establish living wages and universal social protection.

Addressing Modern Labour Challenges

In line with the evolving nature of work, the Declaration includes a specific reference to safeguarding workers’ rights in the context of digital technologies, which is a critical aspect of achieving decent work for all under SDG 8.

Promoting Equality and Social Inclusion (SDG 5 & SDG 10)

Gender Equality in the World of Work (SDG 5)

The Declaration makes a strong commitment to gender equality, supporting the objectives of SDG 5. Key areas of focus include:

• Investment in the care economy and the rights of care workers.
• The principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
• The elimination of gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work.

Rights for All Workers (SDG 10)

To advance SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the Declaration recognizes the importance of extending labour standards to all workers. It commits to guaranteeing rights for vulnerable groups and tackling systemic issues that impede social cohesion:

• Protecting those in precarious employment and migrant workers.
• Addressing the negative impacts of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia on social justice.

Strengthening Global Partnerships and Institutions (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

Reforming the International Financial Architecture (SDG 17)

The Declaration acknowledges the need for policy coherence and supports reforms essential for financing the SDGs, as outlined in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It welcomes actions to:

• Reform the international financial architecture under the Sevilla Commitment.
• Extend social protection coverage globally.
• Engage in negotiations for a UN framework on international tax cooperation.
• Find fair and timely solutions to sovereign debt challenges.
• Increase official development assistance (ODA).

Upholding Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

The text recognizes the fundamental link between social justice and democracy, a core principle of SDG 16. It calls for strengthening the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its center, to be more effective, just, democratic, and representative.

Implementation and Future Outlook

Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development

The Declaration supports policy coherence by reaffirming the SDGs and referencing commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, linking social development to SDG 13 (Climate Action). The role of social partners is identified as crucial for the follow-up and implementation process.

Challenges and the Way Forward

While the Declaration outlines ambitious commitments, it does not yet provide a detailed process for implementation and monitoring. The development of a solid and inclusive governance structure will be critical for ensuring governments are held accountable and that the Declaration’s goals translate into tangible progress on social justice, democracy, and the broader 2030 Agenda.

Analysis of the Doha Political Declaration and its Connection to SDGs

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Doha Political Declaration highlights issues that connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis reveals a strong focus on social and economic development, equality, and global cooperation. The following SDGs are addressed:

• SDG 1: No Poverty: The Declaration’s first priority is “poverty eradication,” which is the central aim of SDG 1. It also emphasizes “universal social protection,” a key strategy for poverty reduction.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article explicitly mentions a “strong commitment to gender equality in the world of work,” referencing “investment in care and care workers’ rights, equal pay for work of equal value, and the elimination of gender-based violence and harassment,” all of which are core components of SDG 5.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: This is a central theme. The Declaration’s commitment to “full and productive employment and decent work for all” directly mirrors the title of SDG 8. The text further elaborates on this with mentions of “living wages,” “international labour standards,” “workers’ rights,” “social dialogue,” “freedom of association and collective bargaining,” and protecting rights for young, migrant, and platform workers.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The focus on “social integration” and “equality and inclusion” connects directly to SDG 10. The article highlights commitments to tackle “racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia” and to guarantee rights for “those in precarious employment and migrant workers,” which are key aspects of reducing inequality.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article emphasizes that “social justice and development are inseparable from peace, security and human rights” and recognizes the “fundamental nexus between social justice and democracy.” The call to “strengthen labour market institutions” and the multilateral system also aligns with the goal of building effective and inclusive institutions.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The Declaration’s emphasis on strengthening the “multilateral system,” ensuring “policy coherence,” and reforming the “international financial architecture” are central to SDG 17. Specific commitments mentioned, such as addressing “sovereign debt,” scaling up “official development assistance (ODA),” and cooperating on international tax, are all targets within this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the commitments and priorities mentioned in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. This is directly supported by the commitment to “universal social protection” and the goal to “extend social protection coverage.”
2. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article explicitly mentions the commitment to “the elimination of gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work.”
3. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. This is reflected in the Declaration’s core priorities of “full and productive employment and decent work for all,” its focus on “young workers,” and the specific call for “equal pay for work of equal value.”
4. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, and in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment. The article highlights the promotion of “international labour standards and workers’ rights” and the commitment to guarantee rights for “those in precarious employment and migrant workers.”
5. Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people. This is addressed by the acknowledgement of the “nexus between international migration and social development” and the commitment to safeguarding the rights of “migrant workers.”
6. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. This is strongly implied by the emphasis on strengthening “social dialogue” and involving “social partners” in the follow-up process.
7. Target 17.4: Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies. This is directly mentioned in the commitment to “find fair and timely solutions that address sovereign debt challenges.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions one explicit indicator and implies several others that can be used to measure progress:

• Explicit Indicator: The article states a clear, measurable goal to “extend social protection coverage by at least 2 percentage points per year.” This directly relates to Indicator 1.3.1 (Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems).
• Implied Indicators:
  • The commitment to “equal pay for work of equal value” implies the use of Indicator 8.5.1 (Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities).
  • The focus on “freedom of association and collective bargaining” implies tracking progress through Indicator 8.8.2 (Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation).
  • The call to “scale up official development assistance (ODA)” implies measuring progress using Indicator 17.2.1 (Net official development assistance, total and to least developed countries, as a proportion of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee donors’ gross national income (GNI)).
  • The emphasis on eliminating gender-based violence suggests the need for indicators related to the prevalence of such incidents and the existence of policies to address them, aligning with the framework of Indicator 5.2.1 and 5.2.2.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ituc-csi.org