On September 17 this year, in Geneva, within the framework of the 30th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an international round table was held on the topic: «Interfaith dialogue for peace and harmony».
The round table is dedicated to the XIX meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress, popularization of the peacemaking initiatives of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy N. Nazarbayev, development of the principles of spiritual diplomacy and consistent policy in the interfaith sphere of the Head of State K. Tokayev, promotion of the goals and objectives of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions among the world community.
The event was organized in an online format by the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan in Geneva together with N. Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The round table was attended by Chairman of the Management Board of N. Nazarbayev Center B. Sarsenbayev, Acting Director of the UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty A. Khalafova, Head of the Department of International Organizations and Integration Associations of the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Jarbusynova, Chairman of the Uzbek Ethnocultural Center of the City Nur-Sultan, member of Assembly of the Peoples of Kazakhstan Sh.Pulatov, as well as international experts, including Deputy Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva A.Baysuanov, Head of the Program for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations of the World Lutheran Federation Dr. S. Keith, Chargé d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See in Geneva D.Putzer, Consultant of the Inter-Parliamentary Union S. Markevich and others.
Speaking with a welcoming speech, Chairman of the Management Board of N. Nazarbayev B.Sarsenbayev told about the upcoming XIX Secretariat of the Congress, which will be held on October 5-6 this year in Nur-Sultan under the leadership of the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions M. Ashimbaev and the strategic objectives of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. It was noted that over the years of independence, Kazakhstan has achieved significant success in matters of interreligious dialogue. «For 30 years of independence, Kazakhstan's policy has been based on the values of inter-religious and inter-confessional tolerance. The ideology of civil accord has become one of the cornerstones in the foundation of Kazakhstan's statehood. The unity of representatives of different confessions and religions living in harmony on the territory of Kazakhstan is one of the greatest assets of our country. The interreligious diversity of Kazakhstan allows the exchange of experience and valuable cultural achievements with other peoples. I am sure that the involvement of a larger number of international and domestic experts, scientists, government and religious figures, leaders of public opinion in the development of interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue in the world contributes to the strengthening of common spiritual values and the promotion of ideas of tolerance», - B. Sarsenbayev emphasized.
At the end of his speech, Chairman of the Management Board of the Center thanked the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan in Geneva, as well as all participants for their support and exchange of views on topical issues in the field of religion.
In general, international experts noted the high role of the N. Nazarbayev Center for the development of interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue in consolidating joint international efforts and promoting the ideas of tolerance, harmony, interreligious harmony and stability in the world.
Let us remind you that earlier, on the eve of the XIX Secretariat of the Congress, 3 round tables were held in India, Pakistan and the Czech Republic. Similar events are expected to be held by the end of the year in Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Hungary, Germany, Iran, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, and Turkey.
