21st meeting of Secretariat of Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions held in Astana

Today in Astana, world spiritual leaders approved innovations that envisage the development and strengthening of the largest dialogue interreligious platform, including introducing the Institute of Goodwill Ambassadors of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and expanding the mission of the forum. The provisions of the Congress Development Concept for the ten-year period from 2023 to 2033 were announced during the 21st meeting of the Secretariat. At the meeting opening, the head of the Secretariat delivered Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state-of-the-nation address. The Head of State noted the role of spiritual leaders in solving the global issues of humanity. According to President Tokayev, it is important to establish a new system of international security in order to overcome the challenges, for which it is necessary to unite global forces in favor of peace and stability.

“The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will continue to make a significant contribution to strengthening global peace and harmony. Also, Kazakhstan intends to keep supporting initiatives to promote interreligious and intercivilizational dialogue as one of the key priorities of our foreign policy. I express my sincere gratitude to all for participation in the meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions,” said Maulen Ashimbayev, the head of the Secretariat of Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

The event brought together 28 delegations from 23 countries, among them are representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism, as well as other religions and international organizations. According to the guests, Astana has long declared itself the spiritual capital of the world, where religious leaders have been calling all mankind to peace and consolidation for 20 years. Gathering around one table they show an example of unity and the power of cohesion.

“When we see acts of terror, it is important to remind ourselves that we must meet together and show the importance of peace and to fight with. This congress is a reminder that if we talk to each other there are better ways to find peace. So, I think the way to do this is to keep coming together, talking to each other, and finding the way to becoming one mind, one heart and one future. We have only one future, one planet and one family. Kazakhstan historically located on the Silk Road, has been the place where people meet and where different cultures, trade and commerce have come together over centuries. Now, Astana shows that it continues to be a place where we meet,” said Samir Somaiya, the president of the Somaiya Vidyavihar Indology Center.

It is noteworthy that within the forum, the parties discussed the results of the seventh congress and announced that the upcoming eighth congress will be held in the autumn of 2025.

Editor: Aizhan