On April 9, 2026, Gulsana Kozhabay, Chair of the Board of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue (ICIID), held an introductory online meeting with Mark Owen, Secretary General of the European Council of Religious Leaders (ECRL). The meeting aimed to establish a foundation for strategic partnership and explore synergies between the Center’s initiatives and European interfaith frameworks.
The Center’s delegation also included Marat Kalizhanov, Deputy Chair of the Board; Guldana Moldash, Director of the Department for Implementation of Congress Initiatives; and Zhanserik Temirtashev, Senior Consultant of the Department of External Relations and Information.
During the discussions, Mark Owen provided an overview of the history and mission of the ECRL, emphasizing the vital necessity of maintaining common platforms, such as the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, to address contemporary global challenges. Mr. Owen highlighted his professional interest in the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and the role of religious institutions in reconciliation processes within post-conflict societies. He affirmed his readiness to serve as a bridge for future institutional partnerships, noting a strong commitment to engaging with global interfaith organizations.
Gulsana Kozhabay noted the relevance of Mr. Owen’s professional focus, stating that the ethics of AI have become a paramount concern in the current global landscape, particularly within the religious contexts. During the meeting, the Chair of the Board articulated a vision of the Center serving as a primary platform for fostering and actualizing the principles of unity. She shared her aspiration for the Center to transition toward a more results-oriented and evidence-based framework, evolving the Congress beyond its traditional consultative role. Her vision includes equipping the platform with the practical tools necessary to foster a more substantive impact on global issues.
In a technical briefing, Guldana Moldash presented the Center’s current initiative regarding a comprehensive document on the ethics of AI in religious contexts, while Zhanserik Temirtashev provided a progress report on the document concerning the role of religion in combating climate change. Both serve as key initiatives of the Secretariat. Mr. Owen expressed his support for these efforts, while noting that the influence of religious diplomacy on the global agenda is often difficult to analyze directly. Consequently, both parties reached a consensus on the urgent need to develop more practical methodologies for observing the tangible impact of interreligious dialogue on social and environmental challenges.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed a mutual desire to deepen their collaboration and reaffirmed their shared dedication to fostering unity among diverse religious and social groups.
