On November 29, 2024, a round table was held in an online format, organized by the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious dialogue and the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre on the theme: "The Role of Religious Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Development of the World".
On November 29, 2024, a round table was held in an online format, organized by the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious dialogue and the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre on the theme: "The Role of Religious Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Development of the World".
The round table was attended by representatives of government agencies, religious associations, participants of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, representatives of ethno cultural centers, scientific and expert community.
The main purpose of the round table was to discuss topical issues of further strengthening interreligious dialogue, the importance of the role of religious leaders in achieving sustainable development of the world.
In her welcoming speech, Acting Chairman of the Board of the Center, D.Yessenova, welcomed the participants of the round table and thanked them for their active participation in strengthening interfaith harmony, and also told about the results of the XXII Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and the holding of the unique first Forum of Young Religious Leaders.
In turn, Prof. Ayten Gahraman, Adviser to Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, spoke about the unique model of multiculturalism based on centuries-old tolerance, as well as about religious policy supporting freedom of conscience and respect for diversity and shared about the initiatives of the Government of Azerbaijan to support intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
During of the round table, the Deputy Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Firdavs Khalimov, noting that in today's multipolar world, on the way to intercultural harmony and a strategically meaningful role in strengthening universal values, cultural dialogue and mutual understanding. In recent years, there has also been a dynamic development of good-neighborly, friendly and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of Central Asia. Bringing multifaceted interregional cooperation to a qualitatively new level meets the long-term interests of our fraternal peoples, and will also serve as an important factor in ensuring peace, stability, security and sustainable development in Central Asia.
In general, the experts highlighted the importance of international initiatives of countries in the development of a global dialogue between world and traditional religions, and also expressed the view that countries should assist in strengthening interreligious relations.
Following the results of the international online conference, the participants reached an agreement on further fruitful cooperation on strengthening interreligious dialogue. Including on the eve of the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to be held in autumn 2025 on the titled: «Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future».
