The head of state received Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was informed about preparations for the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to be held on September 14-15 in the capital of Kazakhstan.

Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament, Head of the Secretariat of the Congress Maulen Ashimbayev said that interreligious forum will bring together over 100 delegations from more than 50 countries of the world. Pope Francis, the Supreme Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Ahmad al-Tayeb and other spiritual leaders are expected to attend.

As the Speaker of the Senate said, the upcoming event is generating a lot of interest from the world media. Representatives of over 200 foreign and over 300 Kazakhstani mass media were accredited.

Within the frames of the Congress the final document - the Declaration, which will reflect the position of the forum participants on the strengthening of inter-civilization and inter-religious dialogue and also on the topical issues of the global development, will be adopted.

The President noted the high importance of the Congress in the modern world. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need to promote the culture of global dialogue and the importance of Kazakhstan's participation in this process.

The head of state was also informed about the Senate's work plans for the upcoming period.