London, (Shahzad Ali) __ The Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF) has been granted special accreditation by the United Nations General Assembly to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled for 4–6 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar. This accreditation acknowledges KDF’s extensive contributions toward social inclusion, health literacy, community resilience, and humanitarian initiatives throughout Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Sardar Aftab Khan of KDF, the Summit aims to provide a critical platform for the Kashmiri diaspora and civil society representatives from Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) to engage in global dialogues centered on poverty alleviation, dignified work, and social cohesion. The KDF delegation will be led by Executive Director Sardar Aftab Khan and will include the following prominent civil society figures from AJK:.Sardar Mumtaz Khan Member, District Council Poonch، Asrar Ahmed Khan، Chairman, Union Council Makhiyala, District Bagh، Sardar Muhammad Wasif، Youth Representative, Khalid Javed، Director Programmes & Partnership Development (Pakistan), KDF، Additionally, senior officials specializing in sports, youth engagement, and cultural initiatives will also participate in the Summit.

Sardar Aftab Khan articulated the foundation’s mission: “KDF is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices and translating community-driven solutions into impactful policy. Accreditation by the UN General Assembly presents a distinctive opportunity for us to share our methodologies and learn from global counterparts, thereby enabling us to scale effective solutions that ensure no individual is left behind.”

He underscored KDF’s 25-year history of engagement with diaspora communities, emergency response mechanisms, climate action initiatives, peacebuilding efforts, policy advocacy, and community empowerment, with a clear strategic focus on health literacy, social equity, youth leadership, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Delegates’ Perspectives:
Sardar Mumtaz Khan emphasized, “Eradicating poverty must commence at the district level. I am eager to share our community-led livelihood programs and to learn about pragmatic models applicable to Poonch and similar rural regions.”

Asrar Ahmed Khan noted, “Effective local governance is foundational to social inclusion. Our intent is to exemplify how transparent and accountable local services can create employment opportunities and cultivate trust between citizens and governmental institutions.”

Sardar Muhammad Wasif stated, “Youth are not mere beneficiaries; we are catalysts for solutions. I will advocate for skill development, apprenticeship opportunities, and digital access to ensure our youth are prepared for future employment landscapes.”

Khalid Javed remarked, “Strategic partnerships are essential for transforming innovative ideas into sustainable impact. In Doha, I intend to present scalable and financially viable program models along with partnership frameworks that facilitate the efficient and sustainable scaling of local solutions.”

Senior officials in the domains of sports, youth empowerment, and cultural programming further reiterated that these sectors are integral to promoting social cohesion. They plan to showcase how organized youth initiatives and local cultural projects can mitigate marginalization and create pathways toward meaningful employment.

The upcoming Summit, occurring three decades after the 1995 Copenhagen Summit, seeks to adopt the Doha Political Declaration, reaffirming global commitments to eradicating poverty, promoting productive employment, and enhancing social integration. KDF’s engagement aims to ensure that the experiences and solutions originating from AJK and the broader Kashmiri diaspora significantly inform and influence international policy frameworks and outcomes.omoting social cohesion. They plan to showcase how organized youth initiatives and local cultural projects can mitigate marginalization and create pathways toward meaningful employment.