Astana hosted the 21st Session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Religious leaders and representatives from 23 countries discussed the implementation progress of the Declaration from the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The session also ratified the Development Concept for the Congress spanning 2023-2033, commissioned by the Head of State. The event included representatives from religions such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism, among others, as well as from international organizations.

Opening the session, Maulen Ashimbayev, the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, delivered President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s address to the participants. The Head of State emphasized that, over two decades, the Congress has greatly fostered interfaith peace and harmony, championed tolerance and mutual support, and contributed to addressing major global challenges.

“The platform voices ideas and proposals aimed at peace-keeping, fostering dialogue and culture of mutual respect and cooperation. In lights of the current difficult international situation, the importance of values such as morality, kindness, and humanism is growing. To overcome the fundamental challenges facing humanity, it is important to develop a new international security system. To that end, we need to join global efforts advocating peace and stability. In contemporary conditions, spiritual leaders can play a major role. I am confident that the world’s religious leaders will work together to contribute to the resolution of global issues facing humanity. These and other important issues will be discussed at today’s Session of the Secretariat. I am confident that the Session will be meaningful and fruitful,” the welcoming address by President Tokayev noted.

During the Session, the participants endorsed the Development Concept of the Congress for the 2023-2033 period, formulated under the directives of the President. This document is geared towards enhancing the Congress’s collaboration with UN agencies and other esteemed international organizations, with an aim to broaden its partner base and extend the reach of the forum’s initiatives.

During their addresses, religious leaders underscored the distinct significance of the Kazakhstan Congress’s endeavors.

Post-meeting, the attendees issued a communique. Within it, they applauded Congress’s two decades of successful and constructive efforts. The communique also resonated with President Tokayev’s call for the inception of a fresh global peace movement. This movement aims to establish a robust international security apparatus and navigate pressing challenges.