Outcomes of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Discussed in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, October 2, 2025 – An expert meeting dedicated to the outcomes of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on the theme "Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future," held in Astana on September 17-18, took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ethiopia.

The event, organized jointly with the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia brought together representatives of government bodies, spiritual leaders of the country's main religious confessions, as well as experts, journalists, and academics involved in inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue.

In his address, Ambassador of of Kazakhstan Zhalgas Adilbayev emphasized that the Congress, initiated by Kazakhstan, has become a unique international platform, uniting over 100 delegations from various countries. “The Declaration of the VIII Congress in Astana confirmed the importance of religious diplomacy as an effective tool for strengthening global stability and solidarity. Kazakhstan has always advocated for spiritual values – mercy, justice, and mutual respect – to become the foundation of international relations,” – he noted.

The main key-note speech was delivered by the Secretary-General of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia, Like Tiguhan Tagay Tadele, who has visited Kazakhstan to participate in the Congress for the first time. He pointed out that the decisions adopted at the Congress resonate with the challenges facing the African continent.

“Today, as the world confronts new threats – conflicts, extremism, and climate change – we must seek common solutions based on cooperation and solidarity. Kazakhstan has demonstrated that inter-religious dialogue can serve not only spiritual unity but also make a practical contribution to sustainable development,” – stated Tagay Tadele.

Ethiopia's participation in the Congress underscored the country's role as one of the ancient centers of world religions and spiritual traditions. It also allowed the nation to share its unique experience of coexistence and interaction among various faiths with the international community. Furthermore, this event marked Ethiopia’s alignment with the global inter-religious dialogue initiative launched in Astana.

In this context, Ambassador Mussie Hailu, the Regional Director for Africa, proposed to consider signing a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia and the Secretariat of the Congress.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views among the participants regarding the outcomes of the Congress and the prospects for the further development of inter-faith dialogue between Astana and Addis Abeba.