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XXІIІ Secretariat of the Congress

INFORMATION ON THE XXIII MEETING OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE CONGRESS OF LEADERS OF WORLD AND TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS

The XXIII meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. Ahead of the VIII Congress, representatives of various religions and denominations discussed preparations for the upcoming event, including key topics, international initiatives, and the election of new Goodwill Ambassadors.

In his welcoming remarks, Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairperson of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Head of the Congress Secretariat, emphasized the important role of the Congress as a unique global platform for promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence.

Special attention during the meeting was given to the upcoming events within the framework of the VIII Congress, including the Special Session on the Protection of Religious Sites, the II Forum of Young Religious Leaders, an expert roundtable, and sectional meetings. Ashimbayev noted that interreligious dialogue is an ongoing process that requires not only ideas and proposals but also their practical implementation through joint international projects. Participants expressed their readiness to further strengthen partnerships, highlighting the relevance of spiritual diplomacy amid global challenges.

Professor Dr. Muhamad Zia Ul-Haq noted that the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has become a true symbol of Kazakhstan and a testament to the commitment of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to promoting peace, harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect among faiths.

Fr. Laurent Basanese emphasized that the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has become an influential international platform for dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, consistently supported by the Holy See.

Welcoming the Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Caucasus, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, the Head of the Congress Secretariat expressed gratitude for the longstanding support and significant contributions that the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Caucasus has made toward achieving the objectives of the Congress.

Following the meeting, the Protocol of the XXIII Secretariat session was adopted, and the provisions of the VIII Congress Declaration, titled the “Astana Peace Declaration 2025,” were discussed.

Taking into account the proposals of the participants of the XXIII Meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress, the following decisions were adopted:

To approve the Agenda of the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

To appoint the following individuals as Goodwill Ambassadors of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions:

  • Antony – Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate (Russia).
  • Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq –Director General of the Islamic Research Institute at the International Islamic University of Islamabad, Doctor (Pakistan).
  • Afra Al Sabri – Director General of the UAE Office of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence (United Arab Emirates).
  • Michael Hübner – Secretary General of the Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Union (Germany).
  • Bulat Sarsenbayev – Ambassador for the Promotion of the Goals and Objectives of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (Kazakhstan).
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