A delegation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, representing Latter-day Saint Charities, joined global leaders and humanitarian advocates at the November 4–6, 2025, United Nations (UN) World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar.
Rob and Karen Young, senior service volunteers for the Church, joined more than 14,000 delegates from 186 nations to discuss crucial social issues and collaborate on solutions to persistent humanitarian challenges. The attendees included heads of state and government, as well as nongovernmental and international organizations.
- Representatives-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-participate-in-the-United-Nations-World-Summit-for-Social-Development-in-Doha,-Qatar,-on-November-4,-2025
- Representatives-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-participate-in-the-United-Nations-World-Summit-for-Social-Development-in-Doha,-Qatar,-on-November-4,-2025
- Representatives-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-participate-in-the-United-Nations-World-Summit-for-Social-Development-in-Doha,-Qatar,-on-November-4,-2025
- Representatives-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-participate-in-the-United-Nations-World-Summit-for-Social-Development-in-Doha,-Qatar,-on-November-4,-2025
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Rob and Karen highlighted the humanitarian work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the breakout session hosted by the UN Department of Global Communications.
Presenting the work of the Church, Rob and Karen highlighted its long-standing commitment to serving by strengthening families, alleviating suffering, promoting self-reliance and supporting the underserved in the region and beyond.
They also shared examples of recent projects implemented by the Church in collaboration with local and international organizations, including its humanitarian assistance in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and other parts of the region.
Rob said the experience was a powerful reminder of shared humanity. “We were surrounded by delegates, charitable organizations and national leaders speaking many languages and wearing their native clothing. We had the overwhelming feeling that we are one human family — brothers and sisters,” he said. “The interpersonal relationships we developed at the summit are precious to us.”
Rob and Karen had a chance to learn about the remarkable work being done to serve struggling populations worldwide. In turn, they directed many delegates to the Caring for Those in Need Summary, which shows how the Church of Jesus Christ contributes to those efforts.
“People were sincerely impressed to know about the extent to which the Church operates worldwide,” said Karen. “The summit connected global humanitarian organizations with the united goal of pursuing meaningful solutions.”
In 2024, the contributions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints totaled $1.45 billion — funding 3,836 projects in 192 countries — and included 6.6 million volunteer hours.
The summit marked the second such convening of its kind. The first World Summit for Social Development was held 30 years ago in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1995. It was the largest meeting of world leaders specifically convened to confront pressing social challenges, from persistent poverty to widening employment gaps. A shared road map for global social progress was established. The 2025 Doha summit revisited those commitments, identifying areas of improvement and the urgent gaps that persist.
Representatives of the Church also attended the opening ceremony and plenary sessions, where heads of state outlined their countries’ social development strategies and visions for a more equitable global future.
Rob and Karen Young are senior service volunteers in Doha, Qatar, where they support the Church congregation and serve at the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. Senior volunteer couples serve in many parts of the Middle East and North Africa, supporting interfaith initiatives, humanitarian projects, local Church leaders and members.