On 12 December, 2025, the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue (ICIID) and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta have formalized an important partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing ceremony took place in Rome during the official visit of Maulen Ashimbayev, Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Promoting a global culture of peace and dialogue was a key focus of Maulen Ashimbayev’s meeting with the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ John Timothy Dunlap and Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Riccardo di Montecupo.
This shared commitment to humanitarian values naturally aligns with the long-standing mission of the Order itself. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a 900-year-old Catholic order with diplomatic relations worldwide, provides medical, social, and humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations while remaining neutral, apolitical, and dedicated to protecting human dignity.
Welcoming Fra’ John Timothy Dunlap, Maulen Ashimbayev emphasized that Kazakhstan is committed to developing closer relations with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The Chairman of the Senate highlighted the significant potential for cooperation in areas such as interreligious dialogue, humanitarian assistance, and medical and social services, noting the similarity of positions and approaches shared by both sides on many global issues.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Order of Malta’s Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Giampaolo Cantini, and the Chair of the ICIID, Gulsana Kozhabay. The agreement affirms the parties’ intention to develop cooperation in the areas of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, exchange of experience, and the implementation of humanitarian initiatives that reflect the values and objectives of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as the mission of the Order.
The strategic signing builds upon a long-standing diplomatic foundation between the Order and Kazakhstan, established in 2001. This relationship entered a significant new phase last September, when a representative of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta participated for the first time in the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana.
This historic milestone demonstrated the institutions’ dedicated commitment to expanding their role in global spiritual diplomacy and humanitarian dialogue, and establishes a framework for joint initiatives with the potential to make a significant impact at both regional and international levels.
