Astana, June 1, 2026 - The International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue (ICIID) hosted an international online conference titled “The Role of Religious Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Peace and Development.” During the event, the Center presented two concept documents to its international partners: the “Ethical Code for the Use of Artificial Intelligence” and “The Role of Religions in Combating Climate Change.”
The conference brought together representatives of religious organizations, academic institutions, expert communities, and international organizations from Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, Russia, Argentina, Thailand, North Macedonia, and India. Discussions focused on implementing the 2025 Astana Peace Declaration and the Development Concept of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for 2023–2033.
Opening the conference, Maksat Ramankulov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, highlighted the importance of state-confessional partnerships. He noted that the Kazakhstani model demonstrates how civil peace demands joint efforts from both secular institutions and religious communities.
Gulsana Kozhabay, Chair of the Center's Board, emphasized that while faith-based diplomacy does not resolve every conflict, it helps preserve dialogue during periods of acute tension. Referring to the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Astana in September 2025, she noted that Jewish and Muslim representatives remained at the same table and continued their engagement despite heightened sensitivities regarding developments in the Middle East.
She also stressed the need to transition faith-based diplomacy into practical action. These priorities include establishing ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence and mounting a collective response to climate change — two issues addressed by the Center’s current initiatives.
Marwan Sarwar Gill, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Argentina, spoke about the universal understanding of peace in the Islamic tradition. Citing the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, he emphasized that human dignity must not depend on race, nationality, or origin. Imam Gill rejected the notion of selective peace, arguing that a holistic approach provides a crucial foundation for global security.
Yulia Shapoval, Acting Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Gumilyov Eurasian National University, highlighted the rise of digital radicalization. She noted that religious and expert communities must keep pace with emerging challenges in the information age, arguing that educational and peace-oriented content must become more visible to counter destructive narratives in the digital space.
Ivan Ivanov, Chairman of the Board of the International Center “Alliance of Civilizations,” underscored the importance of critical thinking in preventing ethnic and religious violence. In his view, education should go beyond transmitting cultural identity; it should cultivate conscience, empathy, and responsibility. Philosophy and ethics, he argued, deserve a more prominent place in educational curricula.
Dr. Matthias Bodi of the University of Oxford's Faculty of Theology and Religion observed that deep faith and open dialogue are not in conflict. Intellectual honesty and respectful interfaith engagement, he stated, help build a culture in which disagreement does not turn into hostility.
Several speakers, including Rostislav Novgorodov, Head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kazakhstan; Tokzhan Kozhakhmetova, representative of the Baha’i Community of Kazakhstan; and Rudraksha Sakrikar, Rector of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, emphasized the special role of youth. They stressed that youth should be regarded not only as beneficiaries of education but also as active contributors to positive social change, mutual trust, and intercultural cooperation.
Sergei Melnik, Head of the Department of Philosophy at the Russian Academy of Sciences, proposed organizing an international roundtable in 2027 to mark the twentieth anniversary of the landmark document “A Common Word Between Us and You.” The initiative aims to further strengthen Christian-Muslim dialogue and deepen trust between religious traditions.
Concluding the conference, participants agreed on the importance of moving beyond interfaith dialogue toward practical cooperation, identifying sustainable peace, ethical governance of new technologies, climate responsibility, education, and the prevention of radicalization as key areas.
On May 15, an informal Summit of the heads of the participating countries of the Organization of Turkic States "Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development" was held in Turkestan.
Astana, April 30, 2025 – The Republic of Kazakhstan is taking another step toward fostering international business. At the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan new regulations have been approved for obtaining an investor visa, aimed at enhancing the country’s investment appeal and supporting long-term business partnerships.
Under the new framework, foreign nationals who invest a minimum of 300,000 US dollars in the charter capital of Kazakh companies or in local publicly traded securities may submit an electronic application for an investor visa. This so-called “golden visa” also provides an opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Kazakhstan for up to 10 years.
Such visa programs, widely implemented in countries across Europe, the United States, the UAE, and Singapore, have proven to be effective tools for attracting capital, technology, and business activity. Kazakhstan now joins this global trend by offering its own model of investment residency.
The issuance of “golden visas” creates a favorable and predictable environment for foreign investors by providing legal safeguards and strengthening trust in Kazakhstan’s investment climate. This initiative reflects the country’s strategic focus on openness, capital protection, and the development of sustainable international economic ties.
The regulation will come into effect 10 days after its official publication. The full text of the document is available at: https://zan.gov.kz/client/#!/doc/209576/rus
Astana April 15, 2025 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted regular consultations on consular issues between the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan with the participation of representatives of the competent authorities of the two states
The Kazakh delegation was headed by Director of the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Azamat Aubekov and the Turkmen delegation was headed by Head of the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dovletmyrat Muratov
During the consultations which took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere the parties discussed the state of bilateral relations in the consular sphere Special attention was paid to the protection of the rights and interests of individuals and legal entities citizenship issues as well as the conditions for mutual travel of citizens of the two countries
February 26, 2025 in the city of Balkanabad (the regional center of the Balkan Velayat) at the State Drama Theater named after Saparmurat Turkmenbashi hosted a large event dedicated to TurkmenKazakh relations The event was organized by the hyakimlik of the velayat with the support of local Kazakhs
The main theme of the event was the inclusion of the epic "Alpamys Batyr" in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage In this regard Deputy Hakim of the Balkan Velayat Bahargul Mamiyeva noted the importance of the event in her report and Executive Secretary of Turkmenistan for UNESCO Chinar Rustemova and Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Turkmenbashi Zhanibek Zhumbergenov told the participants in detail about the Alpamys epic
Kazakh and Turkmen songs national dances of the two peoples were presented to the guests as well as a production dedicated to Alpamys batyr was shown through the efforts of the artists of the drama theater
On December 8, 2024, the opening ceremony of the new building of the Consulate of Kazakhstan took place in the city of Turkmenbashi. It was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan Nurlan Nogaev, Embassy and consular staff, as well as candace. On the Turkmen side, the ceremony was attended by the hyakim of Turkmenbashi, Amangeldi Isaev, Head of the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan for the Balkan region Yalkapberdi Muratgeldiev, representatives of culture and business, and others. Mergen Dzhevakov, Head of the Consular Post in Turkmenbashi at the Russian Embassy in Turkmenistan, took part as an honorary guest.
Ambassador N. Nogaev noted in his speech that the focus of our relations is the dialogue between the two leaders of our countries and the interaction of government agencies, trade and economic cooperation occupies an important place. He also stressed that people-to-people contacts play a significant role, and it is the consular service that will assist citizens of the two countries.
"Adherence to generally accepted principles, common history, consideration of each other's interests have become the foundation for the strategic nature of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The established traditions of friendship and mutual support have stood the test of time and serve as a reliable basis for the successful promotion of the bilateral agenda."
A concert dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan was organized with the participation of representatives of the Kazakh diaspora and a festive dastarkhan with national treats was organized in honor of the celebration.
On December 17-18, 2024, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan Nurlan Nogayev made a working trip to the Balkan Velayat during which he met with hyakim of the Balkan Velayat Khojamyrat Ashyrmyradov and hyakim of Turkmenbashi Amangeldi Isayev
The Balkan velayat has a powerful industrial base with developed oil production petrochemistry and shipbuilding In this regard the Kazakh diplomat expressed readiness to fully support the industrial initiatives of the Turkmen side
During the trip, the Ambassador visited the enterprises of the Turkmenbashi Complex of Oil Refineries and the International Seaport as well as the Garabogaz CarbamideAmmonia Plant (the largest producer of carbamide fertilizer) and discussed with the company's management the establishment of mutually beneficial relations In order to strengthen business contacts, it was proposed to hold a joint event with the participation of business representatives