On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, issued a groundbreaking statement reaffirming that “families are at the heart of sustainable development.” His remarks underscore a growing recognition across the UN system that effective family support is indispensable to building inclusive societies and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In his message, Mr. Li drew attention to a critical but often overlooked truth: poverty is not neglect, but the collective failure of policies and systems that leave people behind. He called for a shift from “distrust and control to trust and collaboration” in how institutions engage with families, emphasizing that social and institutional maltreatment often compounds the hardships faced by those living in poverty.
“By ensuring respect and effective support for families, we can break the cycle of poverty, strengthen social inclusion, and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mr. Li.
This vision resonates deeply with the ongoing work of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and its partners in the lead-up to the Second World Summit on Social Development, to be held in Doha in 2025. The Summit is expected to serve as a defining moment to reimagine social policy frameworks that place families at the center of recovery and resilience.
Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment
The recognition of families as key agents of social change marks a significant step forward in addressing one of the most entrenched dimensions of poverty: institutional neglect. Across the world, families in poverty often encounter punitive systems—those that stigmatize, rather than support.
Ending this cycle requires coherent and respectful engagement, built on empathy and participation.
As highlighted in Mr. Li’s statement, solutions must be developed with families, not merely for them. This participatory approach ensures that interventions respond to real needs and that parents’ lived experiences inform social innovation.
Families as Accelerators of the SDGs
Supporting families is essential to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
No Poverty (SDG 1)
Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
Quality Education (SDG 4)
Gender Equality (SDG 5)
Decent Work and Social Protection (SDG 8)
Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions (SDG 16)
Coherent policies across social protection, education, health, housing, and employment—designed and delivered together—create the conditions in which families can stay together, children can thrive, and communities can prosper.
This integrated approach is at the heart of IFFD’s advocacy efforts and reflects a growing international consensus that investing in families is investing in development itself.
This perspective was strongly reinforced in the 2024 global report “Families, Family Policies and the Sustainable Development Goals”, jointly prepared by the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) and UNICEF. The report provides compelling evidence that family-oriented policies—when well-designed and inclusive—serve as powerful accelerators for multiple SDGs. It highlights how targeted investments in parenting support, work-family balance, early childhood development, and social protection yield cross-cutting benefits that reduce poverty, advance gender equality, and promote child well-being.
The findings echo Mr. Li’s call for a holistic policy vision: one that strengthens families as the most effective and enduring social protection system.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Social Summit 2025
Mr. Li Junhua also announced the launch of the Doha Solutions Platform, inviting governments, civil society organizations, and community innovators to submit commitments that advance social inclusion and solidarity before 22 October 2025.
Selected initiatives will be showcased at the World Summit on Social Development, highlighting practical pathways to family-responsive social policies.
“As we come together to reimagine social development for our time,” he concluded, “let us commit to policies and actions that end the maltreatment of families in poverty, respect their dignity, and ensure no one is left behind.”
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