UN Secretary-General António Guterres urges a "people's plan" for social development at Doha summit

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at a Doha summit, urged world leaders to adopt a "people's plan" to accelerate reductions in poverty, expand social protection and mobilize the finance needed for climate and development transitions. "The Doha political declaration represents a booster shot for development," he said, and outlined four priority areas: fighting poverty and inequality, job creation, financing and inclusion.

Guterres said the summit recalls the 1995 Copenhagen meeting and the progress since: "Since then, over 1,000,000,000 people have escaped extreme poverty. Global unemployment is at the near historic low." He also warned that gains are fragile: "People are still facing hunger, poverty, displacement, and unemployment. Developing countries are not getting the level of support…