The role of religious leaders was discussed at the site of the N. Nazarbayev Center

Today, the first international online conference "The Role of Religious Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Development of the World" was held within the framework of the current discussion platform "PeaceTalks".

Thus, the N. Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue has launched a series of thematic conferences of the international level, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan's Independence.

The event was attended by representatives of state bodies and religious associations of Kazakhstan, members of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, leading foreign experts and speakers of international organizations from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vatican, India, Great Britain, Russia, Uzbekistan and Iran.

Opening the conference, Vice Minister of Information and Social Development Marat Azilkhanov introduced the new Chairman of the Board of the Center N. Nazarbayev for the development of interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue to the participants, Bulat Sergazievich Sarsenbayev.

In his speech, the vice minister outlined that an important condition for peace and harmony is the unification of positive efforts of religious leaders, their real interaction with each other.

In turn, Bulat Sarsenbayev noted that today there is an opportunity to exchange views of diverse problems related to global development prospects.

International speakers stressed the role of Kazakhstan in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue in the world within the framework of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Thus, Khaled Akashe, Head of the Bureau of Islam of the Pontifical Council and Mohammed Mehdi Tashiri, Chairman of the International Center for Interreligious Dialogue of the Islamic Republic of Iran, agreed that Kazakhstan shows the world community a clear example of national consensus and consolidation of society, effectively promoting its accumulated experience in maintaining interethnic and interfaith harmony.

The experts touched upon the importance of international initiatives of countries in the development of a global dialogue between world and traditional religions. Chairman of the Russian-Arab Center for Research and Information, Majid Abdulaziz at-Turki, and Representative of the Dorking Church of England, Joe Bailey Wells, urged participants to contribute in every possible way to more active efforts of the world community to achieve long-term stability and prevent violent incidents caused by hatred and intolerance.

The speakers noted that despite the consequences of the pandemic, countries should assist in strengthening interreligious relations and make their practical contribution to the promotion of spiritual values.

As a result of the international online conference, the participants reached an agreement on further fruitful cooperation on strengthening interreligious dialogue, developing appropriate practical recommendations within the framework of the PeaceTalks discussion platform.