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Innovative Sustainability Assessment for Social Development to be Showcased at World Social Summit 2025 in Doha

Geneva/Doha, September 2025 – As the global community prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in Doha this November, a high-level side event will present groundbreaking approaches to measuring sustainability that go beyond conventional frameworks.

Titled “Innovative Sustainability Assessment for Social Development,” the session is co-organized by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy of Spain, and the Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank (ASETT).

At a time when inequality, environmental degradation, and social fragmentation are deepening, the session will introduce new methodologies—such as UNRISD’s Sustainable Development Performance Indicators (SDPI)—that assess performance not only by incremental improvements but against scientifically and socially defined thresholds, including planetary boundaries, living wages, and gender equality.

“These innovative indicators are not just about measuring progress—they are about ensuring that economic activities align with what science and society recognize as essential for inclusive and sustainable futures,” said Ilcheong Yi, Senior Research Coordinator at UNRISD, who led the development of SDPI.

Speakers include:

  • Ilcheong Yi – Senior Research Coordinator, UNRISD

  • Iñigo Albizuri Landazabal – Head of Global Public Affairs, Mondragon Group; Director, ASETT

  • Ibon Zugasti – Partner/Director at Prospektiker; International Project Manager at LKS (Consulting Division of Mondragon Corporation)

  • Carlos Zarco – Director of the Espriu Health Foundation; Member of the Board, International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

The event will highlight practical applications of SDPI and other transformative approaches, with a particular focus on Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) organizations and social-purpose enterprises that prioritize people and the planet.

Expected outcomes include:

  • Greater awareness of transformative sustainability assessment approaches that move beyond ESG.

  • Clearer recognition of the unique contributions of SSE organizations to inclusive and ecological development.

  • Practical strategies to integrate innovative assessment tools into policies, financing mechanisms, and institutional practices.

The session will contribute to WSSD2’s overarching goal of building equitable, resilient, and inclusive societies.

Event Details:
Innovative Sustainability Assessment for Social Development
📅 Date: Tuesday, 4 November 2025
🕒 Time: 16:45 – 18:00
📍 Venue: Room 12, WSSD2, Doha

Contact for Media Inquiries:
Ilcheong Yi
Senior Research Coordinator
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
Email: ilcheong.yi@un.org