SPECIAL SESSION ON SAFEGUARDING RELIGIOUS SITES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS
General Information
On 16 September 2025, the Special Session on Safeguarding Religious Sites was held in Astana within the framework of the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, under the auspices of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
The session focused on ensuring the safety and security of religious sites, countering religious intolerance and strengthening international cooperation in this area. The event brought together religious leaders, representatives of government bodies, international organizations, the diplomatic corps and the expert community from various countries around the world.
Background and Objectives
Amid growing international tensions, armed conflicts and manifestations of religious intolerance, religious sites are increasingly exposed to threats, acts of vandalism and deliberate attacks. Safeguarding such sites is essential to ensuring freedom of religion or belief, preserving cultural and spiritual heritage, and promoting peace and mutual understanding among peoples.
Particular attention during the session was devoted to the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites: “In Unity and Solidarity for Safe and Peaceful Worship”, launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2019. The Plan aims to promote the protection of places of worship and strengthen solidarity among people of different religions and beliefs.
The main objective of the session was to discuss practical approaches to safeguarding religious sites, identify the role of religious leaders and state institutions in preventing threats, and strengthen cooperation among international organizations, states and religious communities.
Participants and Proceedings
The session brought together religious leaders, representatives of government bodies and international organizations from various countries, representing Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism and other religious traditions.
The event brought together representatives from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, providing a platform for the exchange of views and experience on safeguarding religious sites and strengthening interreligious cooperation.
The programme included a presentation on the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites. This was followed by a discussion featuring diverse perspectives from religious leaders, government representatives and international organizations.
The discussions focused on the responsibility of states and religious communities for ensuring the safety of places of worship, promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue, countering manifestations of intolerance, and sharing experience and effective practices in safeguarding religious sites.
Key Areas of Discussion
The session focused in particular on the following issues:
- implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites and strengthening international solidarity;
- the role of religious leaders in promoting peace, mutual respect and the prevention of religious intolerance;
- the responsibility of government authorities for protecting places of worship and ensuring freedom of religion or belief;
- the development of interreligious and intercultural dialogue as a tool for conflict prevention;
- strengthening cooperation among states, international organizations and religious communities.
The closing part of the session was devoted to formulating recommendations and identifying further areas for joint action.
Significance of the Session
The Special Session marked an important step in advancing international dialogue on safeguarding religious sites and promoting a culture of peace and mutual respect.
The event underscored the importance of pooling the efforts of religious leaders, states and international organizations to counter threats to religious sites and ensure freedom of religion or belief.
The session also reaffirmed the role of Kazakhstan and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions as an international platform for promoting interreligious dialogue, spiritual diplomacy and joint initiatives in the pursuit of peace and harmony.
