Representatives of the DECR participate in meetings of the working bodies of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan

DECR Communication service, 07.10.2026

On October 6th, 2026, a meeting of the Working Group of the XXIV Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held in Astana, the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The meeting was attended by Priest Ilya Kashitsyn, DECR Secretary for Interreligious Affairs.

During the meeting, participants were briefed on new appointments within the leadership structure of the Secretariat of the Congress.

The participants considered draft documents prepared in implementation of the decisions of the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and the Astana Declaration of Peace (2025), which had previously been agreed upon with the religious communities. The documents addressed climate change and various aspects of regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the religious sphere. In addition, the organizers presented a concept for a joint document of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Vatican, with the participation of the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome, entitled the “Charter of the Rights of Children with Incurable Diseases.”

On October 7th, the XXIV meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions opened. It was inaugurated by the new head of the organization, Vice President of Kazakhstan Yerlan Karin.

The event was attended by representatives of Christian denominations as well as Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, and Taoist religious communities from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China, Israel, Türkiye, the Vatican, the United Kingdom, India, and Senegal.

The meeting of the Secretariat was attended by Archpriest Igor Vyzhаnov, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. He conveyed greetings from Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the DECR, and emphasized the importance of the efforts of the Congress Secretariat in promoting interreligious dialogue and safeguarding traditional spirituality and morality.

Also among the participants was Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), Dean of the parishes of Astana and Rector of the Cathedral of the Dormition.

Following the opening greetings, the participants discussed the above-mentioned conceptual documents and agreed on the date and venue for the next, 25th anniversary meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, to be held in 2027.

The events in Kazakhstan concluded with a formal reception hosted by Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Karin, which was attended by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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Representatives of the DECR participate in meetings of the working bodies of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan

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Patriarch

Department Chairman

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