On 19 November 2025, the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue (ICIID) held an online meeting with the international organization Religions for Peace — the world’s largest global interfaith coalition operating in more than 90 countries.
The initiative for the meeting came from Religions for Peace. The conversation focused on the practical development of cooperation within the framework of the previously signed Memorandum of Understanding, as well as on discussing concrete initiatives in interreligious dialogue, peacebuilding, and the prevention of extremism.
The Chair of the ICIID Board, Gulsana Kozhabay, expressed gratitude to the Secretary-General of Religions for Peace, Dr. Francis Kuria, for his active role in developing the partnership and for his substantive proposals to expand joint work. She also highlighted Dr. Kuria’s expertise and many years of experience in conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes across African countries, which represents valuable input for future programs and research of the Center.
The parties discussed key areas for future cooperation. One of the central topics was the promotion of the Astana Peace Declaration – 2025. RfP expressed readiness to actively support its dissemination on international platforms as a document reflecting contemporary principles of interreligious harmony, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect.
Special attention was given to the youth agenda. Participants emphasized the importance of systematic engagement with young religious leaders both within the Forum of Young Religious Leaders and through a possible establishment of a working group aimed at developing youth participation in dialogue and promoting a culture of peace. The ICIID Chair proposed the possibility of signing a separate memorandum with the Youth Committee of RfP. Both sides stressed that youth engagement should become one of the sustainable areas of joint activity.
Women’s issues were also an important part of the discussion, reflecting their growing significance in the development of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. RfP colleagues shared their extensive experience in establishing and advancing the Women in Faith Network and expressed readiness to support Kazakhstan’s initiatives in this area.
Given the wide geographical presence of Religions for Peace across all regions of the world, the parties exchanged views on the prospects for expanding cooperation in this direction.
Dr. Kuria also informed the participants about the upcoming World Assembly of Religions for Peace in 2026 — the organization’s largest event held once every six years, which sets the strategic priorities of the global interreligious agenda. He expressed the interest of RfP in Kazakhstan’s participation in the Assembly, with dates to be announced later.
The sides also expressed strong interest in holding joint events on RfP platforms for broader audiences, emphasizing the importance of Kazakhstan’s and the Center’s contribution to shaping international dialogue.
The meeting additionally outlined prospects for expert cooperation: organizing joint roundtables and discussions, exchanging analytical materials, and involving RfP experts in research initiatives of the Center. Dr. Kuria expressed interest in jointly developing practical recommendations and expert reviews on the role of religion in strengthening global security and sustainable development.
As a result of the negotiations, ICIID and RfP reaffirmed their mutual interest in strengthening their partnership and agreed to begin preparing a joint action plan, including activities for 2026. In the near future, the parties will exchange proposals to form a coordinated agenda and identify concrete projects.
