Kazakhstan’s capital will host the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on 17 and 18 September. The event will be chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and is expected to bring together more than a 100 delegations from around 60 countries.
Participants will include spiritual leaders from Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and Shinto, as well as representatives of international organizations, scholars, and public figures. Confirmed attendees include Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb.
The official programme will begin on 16th of September with the 23rd session of the Congress Secretariat, chaired by Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev, and a special session of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations dedicated to the protection of religious sites.
The main theme of the Congress is “Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future.” During the two days, participants will discuss pressing global challenges and the role of religious leaders in addressing them. The forum will conclude with the Second Forum of Young Religious Leaders, focusing on youth engagement in strengthening interreligious peace.
The Congress holds special significance for Kazakhstan. The country is home to more than 130 ethnic groups and 18 religious confessions. The Congress showcases Kazakhstan’s unique model of peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony, successfully practiced within its borders. This is not only a domestic message but also an international signal that peaceful dialogue is possible in a multiethnic society.
Furthermore, the forum strengthens Kazakhstan’s international image as a neutral platform for sincere and respectful dialogue between East and West. In a world marked by growing instability and conflicts, Kazakhstan promotes spiritual diplomacy—a form of soft power that enhances its standing on the global stage.
Over the years, the Congress has achieved tangible results. The continuously operating Secretariat and the Council of Religious Leaders ensure the continuity and coordination of initiatives. Joint declarations and appeals adopted at the Congresses have found resonance in the work of the UN and other international organisations. In 2023, a long-term development concept was approved for the Congress, extending to 2033, emphasising youth involvement, digital ethics, and expanded international cooperation.
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Denmark announced on Sunday that it was banning civilian drone flights after sightings of drones near several military facilities overnight, following a week in which drone activity forced the temporary closure of a number of Danish airports.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday called on his Labour Party to stop “navel gazing” and to unite against Reform UK, accusing the rising populist party of pursuing a “racist policy” of mass deportation if it came to power.
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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has vowed a “significant improvement” in the security of government administrative systems after a major fire at the national data centre brought online services across the country to a halt.
The Kremlin on Sunday dismissed warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russian officials should familiarise themselves with bomb shelters, saying Kyiv was losing the conflict and that its negotiating position was weakening.
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