PRESS RELEASE: International Documents on Climate Change, Artificial Intelligence and the Protection of the Rights of Incurable Children Presented in Astana
On 7 October 2026, following the XXIV Meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, two international documents were adopted: The Role of Religions in Addressing Climate Change and the Code of Ethics for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Religious Sphere. The Charter of the Rights of the Incurable Child was also presented, and the members of the Secretariat expressed their support for further efforts to promote it.
The documents were developed pursuant to the instructions issued by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as in line with the implementation of the provisions of the 2025 Astana Declaration of Peace, adopted following the Congress.
Gulsana Kozhabay, Chair of the Board of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, presented the documents on climate change and artificial intelligence, developed with the participation of representatives of the world’s religious traditions and the international expert community.
The document “The Role of Religions in Addressing Climate Change” was developed in accordance with paragraph 22 of the 2025 Astana Declaration of Peace, with the participation of 26 members of the international Working Group representing diverse religious and cultural traditions.
It is based on four key principles: recognizing the intrinsic value of nature, responsibility towards future generations, moderation in consumption, and solidarity with the most vulnerable groups of the population.
A special place is given to the concept of «amanat», which reflects the traditional Kazakh understanding of the responsibility to safeguard what has been entrusted to a person for future generations.
The document outlines practical areas of cooperation, including environmental education for young people, responsible consumption, waste reduction, and the adoption of sustainable practices by religious communities and at sacred sites.
The second document, the “Code of Ethics for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Religious Sphere,” was developed in furtherance of paragraphs 23 and 24 of the 2025 Astana Declaration of Peace.
The document was prepared by the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue and an Interfaith Commission comprising 24 representatives of religious communities, scholars and experts, including specialists in technology.
The Code sets out 11 ethical principles aimed at safeguarding human dignity, freedom of conscience, personal data and the authenticity of religious content.
Particular attention is given to preventing digital manipulation, algorithmic discrimination, the distortion of sacred texts, and the use of personal information about religious beliefs for commercial, political or ideological purposes.
The document’s key approach is that artificial intelligence can support the acquisition of knowledge and the analysis of information; however, it cannot replace spiritual authority, personal religious experience or human moral responsibility.
Both documents are advisory in nature and do not create legally binding obligations. Their further promotion is envisaged through international platforms, including United Nations bodies, UN Climate Change Conferences (COP), forums on artificial intelligence and digital governance, as well as through engagement with technology companies and AI developers.
Another key item on the meeting’s agenda was the presentation of the Charter of the Rights of the Incurable Child - a joint humanitarian initiative of Kazakhstan and the Holy See, prepared by the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, with expert contributions from Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital.
The Charter is founded on the principle that the inability to achieve a complete cure does not diminish the obligation to ensure a child’s dignified life, relief from suffering and comprehensive support.
The document identifies specific priorities, including fostering trust between doctors and parents, ensuring access to clear medical information and second medical opinions, providing continuous palliative care tailored to the child’s age, ensuring effective pain management; and offering psychological, social and spiritual support to families while respecting their beliefs.
It particularly emphasizes that a child’s health condition, disability or social status must never be grounds for compromising their dignity or restricting their right to care and medical assistance.
The Charter represents an example of practical humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Holy See, aimed at protecting the most vulnerable children and supporting their families.
The adopted documents and the presented Charter reflect a shift from interfaith dialogue towards concrete international initiatives in the fields of environmental protection, technology ethics and human rights protection.
The full texts of the documents are available on the official website of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions: https://religions-congress.org/ru.
