Media Advisory 

United Nations to launch 2026 World Social Report  on New Economics of Social Inclusion 

Press briefing live on UN WebTV  

The report is under embargo until 15 October 2026, 12:30 pm ET  

The world is undergoing profound changes. Economic, digital and energy transformations are redefining how people work, learn and participate in society. While these changes offer significant opportunities, they are also creating new risks of exclusion. 

The World Social Report 2026: New Economics of Social Inclusion: Making Transformations Work for All argues that social inclusion is an investment and a prerequisite for successful economic, digital and green transformation. The report delivers a clear message: transformations are inevitable, exclusions are not. It shows that exclusion undermines productivity, resilience, and growth, while investments in people’s capabilities, opportunities and participation strengthen economies and societies.  

WHAT:

Press briefing to launch the World Social Report 2026 — The New Economics of Social Inclusion: Making Transformations Work for All 

WHO: 

Video remarks by António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General 

Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, UN DESA 

Rashmi Banga, Chief, Development Research Branch, Economic Analysis and Policy Division, UN DESA 

WHEN:  Thursday, 15 October 2026, 12:30 pm ET  

WHERE: UN Press Briefing Room, S-237  (Live on http://webtv.un.org) 

The report will be available on 15 October 2026, 12:30 pm ET at desapublications.un.org once the embargo has been lifted.  

Media Contacts:  

Martin Samaan, UN Department of Global Communications, [email protected]

Helen Rosengren,UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, [email protected]