OPENING ADDRESS OF GULSANA KOZHABAY, CHAIR OF THE BOARD
International Online Conference, “The Role of Religious Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Peace and Development”
Monday, 1 June 2026
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Distinguished religious leaders, dear colleagues,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our international online conference on the Role of religious leaders in achieving sustainable peace and development.
I am especially glad to see many of our long-standing partners today. Many of you have already contributed to the work of our Center, including our recent initiatives on the role of religions in addressing climate change and on ethical principles for artificial intelligence in the religious sphere.
So, today’s meeting is not just a formal event, but a continuation of the dialogue and cooperation we have already built together. I sincerely thank you for your engagement and trust.
Dear colleagues,
We are meeting at a time of deep global uncertainty. Conflicts and humanitarian crises, polarization, climate risks, social inequality, digital disinformation, and the growing deficit of trust are shaping international agenda.
These challenges are not only political or economic, but also moral and spiritual.
This is why the role of religious leaders remains so important.
At the same time, we should be honest: religious dialogue is not always easy. Religious communities may have different historical experiences, different political contexts, and sometimes very different views on painful international issues.
Dialogue matters most when disagreement exists, but trust has not yet been lost.
We saw this during the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana last September, which was held at a very sensitive moment for the Middle East. However, esteemed Jewish and Muslim representatives, together with leaders of other traditions, remained in the same room and continued the dialogue. It was not easy, but it was meaningful.
This is what religious diplomacy can do: it may not remove all differences or solve every conflict, but it can keep communication from breaking down.
For Kazakhstan, this approach is very close.
Our country has long supported dialogue among religions, cultures, and civilizations. This is also reflected in Kazakhstan’s own experience, where representatives of 130 ethnic groups and various faiths live together in a spirit of mutual respect. The Congress of Religious Leaders, together with its Secretariat, has become a recognized platform where religious leaders, experts, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations can speak openly.
The outcomes of the Congress, including the Astana Peace Declaration 2025, the Communiqué of Young Religious Leaders, and the work of the Expert Round Table, all emphasize human dignity, respect for diversity, peaceful coexistence, and responsibility before future generations.
This vision is also reflected in President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative to promote a Global Movement for Peace, as well as in Kazakhstan’s participation in international peace efforts, including the Board of Peace.
Today, we also need to bring religious diplomacy into practical areas of global concern.
One of them is climate change.
Climate change is not only an environmental issue. It is also a question of justice, responsibility, and solidarity with vulnerable communities. This is why our Center has finalized work on the document “The Role of Religions in Addressing Climate Change.” I would like to thank those of you who have already contributed to this process.
Another important area is artificial intelligence.
AI is changing education, communication, access to knowledge, and even the way people search for spiritual guidance. It creates opportunities, but also serious ethical risks. That is why President Tokayev’s idea of developing an interreligious ethical framework for AI is so timely.
In both areas religious leaders can offer something very valuable: a language of responsibility, human dignity, moderation, compassion, and care for the future.
Dear colleagues,
The practical value of our cooperation lies in areas where different traditions can work together despite disagreements: protecting children, supporting youth, promoting ethical technology and climate responsibility, and preventing hatred and radicalization. I hope today’s discussion will help turn this dialogue into practical cooperation.
Let me once again thank all of you for joining us today.
Your presence and your engagement are deeply valued.
Thank you.
