GULSANA KOZHABAY, CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Plenary Session
II Narowal Peace Dialogue
University of Narowal (Pakistan)
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
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Distinguished Minister Ahsan Iqbal,
Respected Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq,
Distinguished Scholars, Colleagues, and Participants,
It is a great honor to continue our discussion within this important session of the Narowal Peace Dialogue.
In my opening remarks, I spoke about dialogue as a choice, a conscious decision made in moments of tension and uncertainty. Allow me now to go further and speak about dialogue as a process: how it begins, how it is sustained, and how it produces real value. Because today, the key question is not whether dialogue matters.
The real question is: how do we make it effective?
Kazakhstan’s engagement with the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions began in 2001. At that time, the world was shaken by the events of 9/11. Fear and mistrust were growing, especially toward Muslim communities. Precisely then, Pope John Paul II visited Kazakhstan — a country where the majority of the population is Muslim.
It was a powerful signal.
He described Kazakhstan as a “land of convergence” — a country located between Europe and Asia, along the Ancient Silk Road, where more than 100 ethnic groups have lived together — showing that diversity can be a basis for dialogue, not division.
Later, in 2022, at the 7th Congress, Pope Francis called Kazakhstan a “country of encounter.”
These ideas were not merely symbolic; they became foundational.
In 2003, Kazakhstan convened the first Congress. It was a bold and uncertain step for a young country in Central Asia. Only 17 delegations from 13 countries took part. Trust was extremely limited. Some participants were not even ready to shake hands or able to sit together comfortably.
And yet they came.
That first Congress proved something essential: dialogue does not begin with agreement; it begins with presence.
Over time, this initiative grew into a global platform. Today, the Congress brings together more than 100 delegations from around 60 countries at the level of religious leaders themselves. Among them were Pope Francis, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Russian Patriarch Kirill, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Mohammed bin Al-Issa, and leaders of many other traditions. International organizations, including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, and ICESCO, are also engaged.
But the real value is not scale. It is continuity. Because dialogue must be sustained.
These meetings matter because, without them, tensions would grow. Here — not only around the main table, but also in the corridors and behind closed doors — participants can speak openly, clear misunderstandings, and often background conversations matter even more than the formal sessions.
To ensure continuity, the Congress works through the Secretariat and the Working Group. They maintain the process, shape agendas, and develop outcomes.
In this regard, I would once again like to express appreciation to Professor Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, whose contribution to the Working Group has been both consistent and valuable, including his role in shaping key outcomes.
The Eighth Congress, held in September 2025, took place in a very tense global environment. The situation in Gaza had created strong emotions and deep divisions. We understood clearly that bringing leaders together at such a moment was not only important, but also very risky. And yet, in one room, we managed to bring together representatives of the Muslim world, including leaders connected with Al-Azhar and the Muslim World League, alongside the Chief Rabbis of Israel, as well as Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Taoist, and Shinto representatives. This was the world, with all its tensions, gathered in one space.
However, the dialogue continued.
Participants did not leave. They listened. They spoke. They disagreed, but remained engaged.
In the end, the Astana Peace Declaration 2025 was adopted. It reaffirmed a commitment to peace, unity, and human dignity, emphasized the role of spiritual diplomacy, and tasked the Secretariat with several specific projects. The Declaration was circulated as an official document of the 80th UN General Assembly, confirming its global significance. This showed that even in a moment of deep polarization, a shared moral language is still possible.
At the same time, the Congress is not limited to high-level meetings. We understood that dialogue must also produce knowledge.
This is why, in 2025, we launched the Expert Round Table. Its goal is to move dialogue from exchange to analysis and practical recommendations. Because dialogue must not only connect people, but also help prevent conflict.
In this regard, we see strong potential for cooperation with partners from the University of Narowal and the esteemed Vice-Chancellor.
Another priority of dialogue is youth, as they are future leaders and decision-makers. Through the Forum of Young Religious Leaders, we invest in the next generation — those who will shape the future of dialogue. And we would be glad to see participants from Pakistan join us in Astana in 2028 for the Third Forum of Young Religious Leaders.
At the same time, our work is strongly international. We conduct joint initiatives with the Vatican, engage on UN platforms, and cooperate with partners across continents. We are also expanding our agenda to address global challenges. Two key documents are currently being finalized:
- The Role of Religions in Addressing Climate Change — because climate change is not only an environmental issue, but also a moral one, involving responsibility, justice, care for creation, and solidarity with vulnerable communities.
- An Ethical Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Religious Contexts— because the future will be shaped not only by technology, but also by values.
Dear colleagues, the experience of the Congress has shown that dialogue is not soft language. It is difficult, structured work. It requires institutions, a comfortable atmosphere, trust, and patience. It also requires people who are willing to stay at the table when leaving would be easier.
This is why the Narowal Peace Dialogue and the Congress of Religious Leaders are so meaningful. They show that dialogue can emerge from crisis and challenge and be transformed into a constructive path forward. In Kazakhstan, the starting point was 9/11; in Pakistan, it was the attack on the esteemed Minister.
It is our shared responsibility to ensure that dialogue remains not only a principle, but a living practice.
Thank you.
