XXI Secretariat of the Congress

INFORMATION ABOUT THE XXI MEETING OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE CONGRESS OF LEADERS OF WORLD AND TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS

In the face of contemporary global challenges and erosion of the international security architecture, the Republic of Kazakhstan continues to promote and increase the role of religion in the rapprochement of different civilizations, cultures and peoples.

Kazakhstan also shares and promotes its experience globally, as reflected in the idea to convene the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

Through this truly unique institution, which has been working seamlessly for 20 years since the First Congress in September 2003, Kazakhstan showcases to the entire world community an example of national consensus and unity.

The seven (7) Сongresses held in Astana from 2003 to 2022 greatly contributed to the enhanced mutual understanding between Eastern and Western civilizations, developed inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue. Thanks to its commitment to peacebuilding and responsibility towards global processes, Kazakhstan is rightfully recognized and respected at the international level as a global international center for inter-faith dialogue.

Consistent institutional development is another significant result of 20 years of the Congress's activity. The Congress has a diverse agenda, unconventional participation format and political flexibility. With a growing number of participants and a broader agenda, the program of the Congresses has expanded significantly. Congresses not only include plenary sessions, but also several parallel breakout sessions.

The Secretariat is the working body of the Congress, which organizes its meetings and develops proposals, Congress agenda, draft texts of Declarations, Appeals and other conceptual documents adopted at the Congress.

The Secretariat was established by the decision of the participants of the First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held on September 23-24, 2003 in Astana. Head of the Secretariat of the Congress is the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Secretariat includes authorized representatives of leaders of world and traditional religions, such as Islam, Christianity (Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism), Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism and Shintoism.

On October 11, 2023, Astana will hold the XXI meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress under the chairmanship of Maulen Ashimbayev, the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Secretariat will exchange views on the results of the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as discuss and adopt the 2022-2023 Development Concept of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, initiated by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Seventh Congress.

The XXI Secretariat of the Congress is expected to engage religious leaders of world and traditional religions from Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism from USA, Vatican, Great Britain, South Korea, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Israel, China, Mongolia, Japan, India, Russia, Armenia, Thailand, and UAE.