Diplomatic World_69

NOTES FROM THE VII CONGRESS
OF LEADERS OF WORLD
AND TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS
ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN
On September 14-15, Kazakhstan’s capital Astana held the VII
The Congress generated considerable interest, so much so
Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The
that the traditional venue where the Congress was held on the
Congress, initiated by Kazakhstan in 2003 and held triennially,
previous six occasions – the Palace of Peace and Reconcilia-
has as its main objectives and priorities the functioning of a
tion – had to give way to the Palace of Independence, able to
permanent international interfaith institution for the dialogue of
accommodate larger crowds. The international event has brought
religions and the adoption of agreed decisions; the establishment
together important figures from the religious world, such as the
of peace, harmony and tolerance as the unshakable principles of
Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed Al Tayeb; Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi
human existence; and preventing the use of religious feelings of
of Israel David Lau; Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Yitzhak
people for the escalation of conflicts and hostilities.
Yosef; and Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem.
This year’s Congress called upon political and religious leaders
Most notable was the presence, for the first time, of the Head of
around the world to see that humanity’s shared values, universal
the Catholic Church – His Holiness Pope Francis, 21 years after
and unchanging, must serve as the starting point for meaningful
the visit of the last Pope, His Holiness John Paul II, in the autumn
weakening of international institutions; rising poverty and
gress in the international arena. Kazakhstan has been one of the
dialogue in a war-torn and conflict-ridden world. The Astana
of 2001. The central theme of this year’s gathering was the role
inequalities; inflation; the sanctions-induced energy crisis; food
leaders of the global movement against nuclear weapons. We
Congress emphasized that world leaders need to double down
of spiritual leaders in the post-pandemic era and times of geopo-
shortages; great power confrontation intensification and rising
initiated the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building
on the language of reconciliation and compromise before engag-
litical tensions. In his opening speech, President of Kazakhstan
tensions in various parts of the world. In this context, President
Measures in Asia, which is supposed to become Organization.
ing in conflicts that are often avoidable.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the risks facing our world:
Tokayev made a solid call for religions to use their peace-mak-
We have chaired the UN Security Council, the OSCE, and the
ing potential and united the efforts of spiritual leaders to pursue
Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In our domestic agenda,
long-term stability.
we also place a high priority on strengthening unity, consolidation
and effective dialogue.
PRESIDENT TOKAYEV ADDED:
The challenges we face today require an understanding of the
role of religions and spiritual leaders in global processes”.
“At such moments we must turn to humanistic ideals. Their main
custodians are, of course, traditional religions. The absolute
value of human life, respect for each other’s interests, mutual
assistance, openness, equality and justice – these are the pillars
of new security system. That is why the moral authority and voice
PRESIDENT TOKAYEV PRESENTED SEVERAL
THEMES FOR DISCUSSION:
of spiritual leaders are crucial today.
• “Firstly, all traditional religions share a set of basic principles:
the sacred value of human life, mutual support, and the
In this regard, I would like to note the great historical significance
rejection of destructive rivalry and hostility. I am convinced that
of the call of Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Dr.
these principles should form the basis of a new world system
Ahmed El-Tayeb, outlined in the document “Human Fraternity for
today. We need a fundamental modernization and harmoniza-
World Peace and Living Together”.
tion of theoretical concepts and practical approaches in culture,
politics, economics and society. To revive the true spirit
Today, we all depend on each other – no global problems can
and meaning of civilization, we need a large-scale reformation
be solved without constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial
in all spheres of life.”
cooperation.
• “Secondly, we see that, while politicians argue, spiritual lead-
Our country has consistently promoted principles aimed at
ers desire and seek to draw closer together. It is the efforts and
achieving peace, comprehensive security and sustainable pro-
dialogue of spiritual leaders that can eventually show humanity
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