On September 17-18, 2025, Kazakhstan’s capital hosted the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The event reinforced what has become increasingly evident: the Congress is evolving into a meaningful instrument of global dialogue, one President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hopes to leverage in his broader efforts to reform the United Nations.
Three years ago, the 7th Congress was notable for the visit of the late Pope Francis, who held a mass in Astana for residents and guests of the capital. This year’s edition welcomed another high-profile religious figure: Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who echoed the growing view that the Congress now carries global influence.
“We have truly found a global interfaith platform, a group of people interested in working together for peace and prosperity,” Patriarch Kirill said. “Alongside other significant platforms, we can participate in solving, or at least studying, the problems confronting all of humanity. It is important that religious leaders of different faiths work hand in hand today as one family, which speaks to the closeness of our positions.”
In his opening remarks, President Tokayev described the global situation as one of rising tension and deepening instability. “Hybrid wars being waged across various regions have no clear front lines, yet they result in significant casualties, refugee crises, and massive damage to the world economy,” he said. “The risk of nuclear conflict is greater now than at any point in recent decades.”
In such a climate, Tokayev argued, the moral authority of religious leaders is more vital than ever. “We are placing our hopes on religious figures to help prevent global chaos, reminding politicians of common sense, goodwill, and moral responsibility.”
He proposed further development of his earlier idea, a global “Movement for Peace” under the umbrella of the Congress. “Religious hierarchies could become the moral backbone of such a movement, issuing a neutral and apolitical call to end violence and seek peaceful solutions. Grounded in universal values like the sanctity of life, compassion, and mercy, it could unite not only believers, but also political leaders, NGOs, experts, and youth,” Tokayev said.
Over the next two days, delegates from 60 countries, representing diverse cultures, civilizations, and faiths, gathered to discuss major global challenges. Their work culminated in the Declaration of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which was read at the closing session by George Jacob Kuttianickal, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See.
The Declaration endorsed Tokayev’s peace initiative and emphasized the need to intensify international dialogue. It proposed a series of global and regional events to advance a culture of peace, as well as active promotion of the Congress’s goals within the UN and other international forums.
“We call on the international community and the UN General Assembly to acknowledge the Congress’s 20-year contribution to dialogue and harmony among religions, and to strengthening peace and mutual understanding,” the Declaration stated.
Delegates also reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s growing role as a respected international center for intercultural and interfaith dialogue, agreeing to hold the 9th Congress in Astana in 2028. The Declaration will be circulated as an official document during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
The final document reflects not only the vision of the president but also the diplomatic groundwork laid by Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry. During the Congress, Tokayev held personal meetings with major religious leaders, including the Patriarchs of Moscow and Jerusalem; Israel’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Kalman Ber and Chief Sephardic Rabbi David Yosef; and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice President of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
He also met with representatives from the Islamic world, including delegations from the Caucasus and the Middle East.
As Kazakh political scientist Marat Shibutov stated, “It used to be hard enough just to get imams and rabbis from the Middle East to sit at the same table. This time, sparks were flying throughout the Congress. At the closing session, the Chief Sephardic Rabbi nearly got into a confrontation with an imam from Al-Azhar. It was tough for the organizers, but they pulled it off.”
With the UN General Assembly’s 80th session underway in New York, Kazakhstan’s interfaith diplomacy is expected to feature in the discussions.
