Congress Recommendation 528 (2025) on the role of local and regional authorities in protecting and promoting social rights and fostering social development, adopted in March 2025 as a Congress contribution to the UN Second World Summit for Social Development, was presented on 6 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

Presenting the recommendation at the Summit’s side event “Why is tripartite social dialogue key to achieve social development and social justice?”, President of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) and Congress Vice-President Gunn-Marit Helgesen (EPP/CCE) highlighted the key messages: social investment in high-quality local services is smart economics; localised delivery of social rights and inclusive dialogue at local level makes social policy effective; social justice – access to healthcare, education, housing, decent work and social protection at local level – builds trust and democratic stability. ”Tripartite social dialogue is how we turn social rights into delivery, close to people’s lives. Most social outcomes — and a majority of the Sustainable Development Goals — are achieved locally,” she said.