ASTANA,Kazakhstan(London Post)-The 21st Session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions took place in Astana.
Religious leaders and their representatives from 23 countries convened to discuss the progress in implementing the Declaration of the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
The Session also saw the approval of the Development Concept of the Congress for the period 2023-2033, a significant milestone in interfaith dialogue and global cooperation.
The round table, hosted at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, brought together representatives of various religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism, and more, along with the participation of international organizations. This diverse representation emphasized the commitment to promoting peace and harmony across faith traditions.
The Session opened with an address by Maulen Ashimbayev, Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. He read out a message from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, highlighting the Congress’s role in advancing interfaith peace, tolerance, and mutual support, while addressing global challenges.
In his written message,The President emphasized the role of the Congress in promoting dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation. In light of the current global situation, the President underscored the growing importance of values such as morality, kindness, and humanism in overcoming fundamental global challenges. The President expressed confidence in the ability of the world’s religious leaders to contribute to resolving pressing global issues.
Maulen Ashimbayev, Speaker of the Senate and Chairman of the Secretariat, praised the unique character of the Congress, which combines open interfaith dialogue with the involvement of political and public figures, as well as international organizations. He stressed the Congress’s role in preventing conflicts on religious grounds and promoting a culture of tolerance and dialogue.
The Speaker highlighted the significance of promoting spiritual and moral values, as well as a culture of tolerance and dialogue, to underpin the new world order. These values are reflected in the Declaration of the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.Maulen Ashimbayev called on leaders to address global challenges and urged leaders of world and traditional religions to contribute to peace and harmony.
During the Session, participants approved the Development Concept of the Congress for the next decade, from 2023 to 2033. The concept aims to deepen cooperation with UN agencies and international entities, expand the forum’s partnerships, and broaden its geographical scope.
Maulen Ashimbayev outlined the critical areas of development included in the Concept. Notably, the Concept introduces the institution of Goodwill Ambassadors of the Congress and envisions a Forum of Young Religious Leaders. It provides a clear direction for the Congress’s development over the coming years.
Religious leaders present at the session highlighted the importance of the Congress’s work, particularly in uniting religious and political leaders to foster mutual understanding and harmony between religions and cultures. The participants emphasized the scale of the issues addressed within the Congress and their role in maintaining global peace and interfaith harmony.
Meanwhile,A ceremony honored several participants of the Secretariat meeting with state awards of the Republic of Kazakhstan and commemorative medals of the Congress, recognizing their significant contributions to the dialogue platform’s formation and development.
In a concluding communique, the participants celebrated the successful 20-year activity of the Congress and supported President Tokayev’s call for a new global movement for peace to enhance international security and address pressing global challenges. The next XXII meeting of the Congress Secretariat is scheduled for autumn 2024 in Astana.
