Head of State participated in the plenary session of the VI Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions
Addressing the delegates, the Head of state expressed deep gratitude to spiritual leaders, representatives of international organizations, politicians and experts for supporting the initiative of Kazakhstan to convene the Congress and their personal participation in its work.
«It has been 15 years since the historic first Congress was held here. This is the sixth time we have met today. I am pleased to see our old friend’s again-participants in past meetings. I am glad to welcome those who came to Astana for the first time. Our capital is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year. The Congress of leaders of world and traditional religions can be called its business card, because we built Astana as a Eurasian city of the future, open to all cultures»,- said the President of Kazakhstan.
Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke about the efforts of Kazakhstan and the role of its capital in promoting the ideas of peacemaking, partnership, tolerance, and creation at the global level.
«Intercivilizational conflicts look absurd against the background of scientific and technological progress. However, the image of the future of humanity is being formed right now. The state in which we will be able to pass on our common planet to future generations is the main civilizational problem. We have been living in the third Millennium for 18 years, but peace, well-being and prosperity have not become the main trend of human development. The world community could not get out of the sinister circle of mutual distrust, hostility, and conflict», - noted the Head of state.
The President of Kazakhstan separately focused on the problem of growing geopolitical tensions and sanctions confrontations.
«New walls and new «iron curtains» are being built between countries and geopolitical blocs. But the most dangerous thing is that the feeling of mutual alienation increases in the minds and hearts of people. Huge efforts are being made to look for reasons for competition, not the basis for cooperation, to create means of destroying each other, and not joint projects for the prosperity of peoples»,- said Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The head of state also focused on the negative consequences for humanity of the current situation in the world.
«Despite rapid technological development and the growth of global wealth, the scale of social disasters continues to expand. According to the UN, 14% of the world's population is chronically hungry. The total number of unemployed people exceeded 190 million. This increases social inequality as a breeding ground for radicalism. Therefore, the Central issue is a safe and just world», - stressed the President of Kazakhstan.
The head of state spoke about Kazakhstan's experience in strengthening mutual respect and constructive cooperation between leaders of different cultures, religions and countries.
«More than 3,500 religious entities of 18 different faiths are registered in Kazakhstan. With this diversity, we were able to find a balance between ensuring national security and protecting religious freedoms. In our country, by universal recognition, we have managed to form a special Kazakh model of inter-confessional peace and harmony. I am sure that the experience and practice of Kazakhstan are quite applicable on a global scale», - said Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Noting the importance of making efforts to overcome the global crisis of confidence, the President of Kazakhstan focused on certain areas for joint work of the Congress participants.
«In the era of the information society, we must use all the advantages of new technologies to promote together the ideas of peace and harmony at the global level. To do this, it is proposed to create an Information portal on the basis of our Congress», - said the Head of State.
The President of Kazakhstan also invited the spiritual leaders to appeal to the world community for peace and security.
In addition, Nursultan Nazarbayev noted the importance of promoting the cult of knowledge and education, as well as the need to ensure access to education.
«It is impossible to overcome poverty and misery without mass introduction to knowledge and science. Education is the Foundation of a stable immunity to the ideas of radicalism in any of its manifestations. Religious education is also extremely important here. Now its platform is actively used by various pseudo-religious organizations. Therefore, world and traditional religions could work to separate religious values from political ideologies», - stated the Head of state.
The President of Kazakhstan called on all leaders of world and traditional religions to support the actions proposed by our country to build a world without nuclear weapons.
«Kazakhstan will continue to make every effort to address issues related to regional and global security. For joint implementation of the announced initiatives, I am ready to establish a Center for the development of interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue», - Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The head of state also informed the audience about the decision to award the first prize of the Congress for its contribution to inter-religious dialogue to the Pontifical Council of the Vatican.
At the end of his speech, the President of Kazakhstan wished all delegates of the Congress fruitful work in the spirit of open and constructive dialogue.
At the end of the plenary session, the Head of state got acquainted with the expositions of the Museum of peace and harmony.