The First Congress became a unique event in world history: representatives of
17 religious denominations from
13 countries, including Islam, Christianity (Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism), Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Daoism, and other world and traditional religions, gathered at one table. This was the world’s first international platform where spiritual leaders of all religions and faiths openly expressed their readiness to cooperate for peace, harmony, and the spiritual unity of humanity.
Key objectives of the forum:- Countering extremism and violence committed under the guise of religion.
- Promoting tolerance, mutual respect, and cultural diversity.
- Establishing a sustainable international dialogue among religions.
Outcomes and decisions:- The Final Declaration was adopted, condemning terrorism and all forms of religious violence.
- The Congress Secretariat was established as a permanent body coordinating inter-Congress activities.
- It was decided to hold the Congress regularly, every three years.
- Kazakhstan was officially proposed as a permanent platform for interreligious dialogue.
During the Congress, participants visited Astana’s symbol – Baiterek – leaving inscriptions on a canvas as a sign of hope for peace and cooperation.
International recognition: Following the First Congress, the forum received high praise from the UN, UNESCO, and a number of leading religious organizations worldwide. Global media called it “a new format of global spiritual diplomacy,” and the participation of representatives from major denominations confirmed Kazakhstan’s status as an independent and neutral mediator in matters of religious peace. Letters from heads of state officially confirmed their support for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan, highlighting its importance in strengthening international peace, mutual respect, and cooperation among religious and cultural communities (including letters from President of the Russian Federation V. Putin; President of the United States George W. Bush; President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Mohammad Khatami; Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair; former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Hosni Mubarak; Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, President of the European Convention, former President of France; members of the U.S. Congress; President of the European Commission Romano Prodi; Süleyman Demirel, former President of Turkey; Helmut Kohl, former Chancellor of Germany; Hans-Dietrich Genscher, former Foreign Minister of Germany).
In 2004, the UN General Assembly officially welcomed the initiative to hold the Congress and expressed its support (Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 11, 2004, “Encouraging International Dialogue,” regarding Kazakhstan’s initiative to hold the First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on October 2, 2004).
This section includes: Correspondence between the Head of State and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan; archives of documents (concept, program, list of participants, declaration, decisions, speeches); photographs (sessions, participants); the e-book “The First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions: Collection of Materials, Speeches, and Welcoming Messages”; and an interactive map showing the geography of participants of the First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
