Official Statements:

H.E. Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participated in the Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, which was held on 1-2 July 2009 in the capital of Kazakhstan – Astana City.

Seventy-seven delegations representing all world and traditional religions from 35 countries of the world took part in the work of the Congress. Among them are Secretary General of the Muslim World League Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, Metropolitan of Astana and Almaty Methodius, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation Ishmael Noko, Deputy Chairman of the Buddhist Association of China Sue Cheng, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger, Chairman of the China Daoist Association Zheng Fazhun, Vice President of the Shinto Shrines Association of Japan Jinja Honcho Tanaka, the President of the World Council of Cultural Heritage of Indian Zarathustra Homi Burzhor Dhalla and many others.

Such prominent politicians and public figures as President of Israel Shimon Peres, UN Under-Secretary-General, General Director of the European Branch of the United Nations Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Chairman of the UNESCO Executive Board Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï, the OSCE Secretary General Marc Peren de Brishambo as well as representatives of legislative bodies and non-governmental organizations from different countries had been invited as honorable guests.

The head of state expressed its gratitude to the participants of the Congress, who responded to the invitation and gathered together to give their blessings and pastor’s precept to people.

“We appreciate that your spiritual concern for the world, your dedication to the cause of consent on earth for the third time bring you to Astana,” President Nursultan Nazarbayev highlighted. The President underlined that more religious and public figures and statesmen from all over the world considered it important to take part in the work of the Congress.

Kazakhstan’s experience for preserving interethnic and inter-confessional accord has been acknowledged as one of the most successful example in the post-Soviet space. There are almost 3,200 mosques, temples and meeting houses in the country. The International Center for Cultures and Religions has been established. The Fund for the Islamic Culture and Education is being also established by support of the state.

“And we feel our commitment to carry down this moral imperative to the entire humanity,” the President stated.

The head of state emphasized that one of Kazakhstan’s significant initiatives supported by the UN was declaration of 2010 a Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures. Kazakhstan has given full credibility to preside in the forthcoming years the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions convened at the initiative of Kazakhstan has also become an integral and efficient part of a global dialogue among religions of the world today.

The President drew attention to the fact that when mankind is experiencing a global financial and economic crisis, the need for constant self-perfection is pushed backwards. Many people close their eyes to the fact that such material values as money, greed and thoughtless pursuit of success dominate the world.

In this regard the Head of State expressed a view that today the moral principles should be at the forefront.

- Without this important tool it is impossible to come out of the crisis to a higher trajectory of society’s development. In this I am absolutely convinced, - stressed N.Nazarbayev.

Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the current crisis provides a unique opportunity to transform the world, to realize the perennial dream of mankind of a fair world order based on equitable economic and political model of relations between states, a new approach to global security, as well as ethics and spirituality.

Guardians of the highest moral values at all times were and remain the spiritual leaders - pastors of various faiths. That is why in these challenging times a special hope is given to religious leaders.

- It is you, religious leaders, can become the guides of the revival of spirituality - the main condition for harmonious development of the world. In this we see the high purpose of our Congress, - said the Head of State.

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Sheikh Abdullah Bin-Abdul Mohsin al-Turki, President of the State of Israel Shimon Peres, Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, Chairman of Saudi Arabian Shoura Council Abdullah Bin Mohammed Aal Al-Sheikh, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, Vice-President of the World Federation of Buddhists Hamba Lama Choyzhilzhavyn Dambazhav, Egyptian Minister of Awqaf Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouq, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation Ishmael Noko, UN Under-Secretary-General Sergei Ordzhonikidze also addressed the participants with welcoming speeches.

During Conference, President Nursultan Nazarbayev held bilateral meetings with participants of the Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

During the course of the meetings in Akorda an exchange of views on the role of religious leaders in building a world based on tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation was held.

The Secretary-General of The Muslim World League Sheikh Abdullah Bin-Abdul Muhsin al-Turki thanked the President for the invitation to attend the Congress and conveyed greetings of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

- We in Saudi Arabia and, in particular, in The Muslim World League, highly appreciate your efforts to develop bilateral relations. We are also ready to develop bilateral relations and are planning to open a regional office of The Muslim World League in Kazakhstan next year, - said the Sheikh.

The Secretary-General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace William F. Vendley noted that the conversation touched upon the issue of nuclear non-proliferation.

- Kazakhstan as a country that voluntarily renounced its nuclear weapons is a leader of Central Asia in this field, – W. Vendley said.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev also received the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation Ishmael Noko, who noted the importance of the Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in strengthening inter-ethnic harmony.

Turkish State Minister Faruk Celik conveyed to the leader of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev a personal message from the Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

- During the conversation with the President of Kazakhstan we discussed the current state of the Kazakh-Turkish cooperation and the prospects for developing relations between our countries, - said F.Celik.

Head of State Held Bilateral Meetings with the Leaders of Religious Confessions and Politicians Involved in the Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi and Egyptian Minister of Awqaf Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouq conveyed greetings of President of Egypt Muhammad Hosni Mubarak and the entire Egyptian people to President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Sheikh thanked the leader of Kazakhstan for the invitation to participate in the Third Congress and expressed confidence that the inter-faith dialogue in Astana will promote peace, security and prosperity of the entire human society.

Chairman of Saudi Arabian Shoura Council Abdullah Bin Mohammed Aal Al-Sheikh conveyed the greetings of the King of Saudi Arabia and his intention to develop relations between the two countries to Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Abdullah Bin Mohammed Aal Al-Sheikh said that the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions organized at the initiative of Kazakhstan provides better understanding between different religions.

UN Under-Secretary-General Sergei Ordzhonikidze during the meeting with the President of Kazakhstan said that the United Nations support such an important and necessary for the international community initiative of Kazakhstan to hold a religious forum.

- The purpose of this initiative is to improve relations between people, religions and, ultimately, nations. I can see how leaders of world religions are finding a common language. It is very important as the believers are listening to what their leaders say, – stressed S. Ordzhonikidze.

Former Prime Minister of Norway, head of the Center for Peace and Human Rights Kjell Bondevik said that the Center is interested in inter-religious and intercultural dialogue. Its purpose, as the purpose of Astana Congress is to prevent conflicts and bring together different religions.

- We also share your principles on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In this regard, Kazakhstan is a shining example to the world, - said K. Bondevik.

The Head of State also received the Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar.

- President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev is a very rare person in today's generation. He combines many positive qualities. His work promotes the occurrence of Kazakhstan on the pages of the world history. Not many people can be proud of their president, and I sincerely envy the Kazakhstanis, – said the Chief Rabbi of Israel at a briefing for journalists.

President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran said that Kazakhstan is a harmonious country in which the representatives of different nationalities, cultures and religions live together in peace.

- Kazakhstan clearly shows that the differences may be not only a source of conflict, but also of mutual enrichment of cultures, traditions and religions, – said Jean-Louis Tauran.

Chairman of the Chinese Daoist Association Zheng Fazhun expressed satisfaction with the fact that representatives of different religions of the world are engaged in a dialogue in the framework of the Congress.

- Holding of the Congress is essential for preserving peace. It is a personal merit of the President of Kazakhstan. Nations of our country has a great respect for that, - said Zheng Fazhun.

The President also received Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger.

- President of Kazakhstan has become a true creator of the bridge of peace that brought together Israel and Arab countries. He has wisdom, intelligence, strong mind, and all the high qualities, which a true great leader must have. I will never forget how at the first Congress Nursultan Nazarbayev took my hand and the one of the Iranian representative and joined our three hands. The whole hall stood up and applauded, - said Yona Metzger.

It is necessary note that a wide range of issues related to the role of religious leaders in building a world based on tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation were discussed during the Congress. The work of sessions was devoted to such themes as: «Moral and spiritual values, world ethics», «Dialogue and cooperation», «Solidarity, especially in times of crisis».

All the participants expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan and recognized its leadership for his efforts to establish a dialogue between followers of different religions and civilizations.

The Forum resulted in the adoption of Address by the Participants of the Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to the world community. It was also decided to hold the Forth Congress in 2012 in Astana.

Speaking at the closing ceremony the President noted that the Congress discussion once again demonstrated willingness and interest in dialogue of all spiritual leaders gathered in Astana. All statements share a common concern over the destiny of the diverse world, as well as a pursuit of the ways to enhance the harmony and understanding among states, nations and different religions.

The Forum’s participants stated the important role of religion in maintaining peace and harmony, tolerance and mutual understanding, strengthening the moral foundations of society. In these challenging times of global crisis, this role is reinforced dramatically. Therefore the spiritual values should be elevated to the rank of one of the main mechanisms of post-restructuring world.

The Head of State expressed his confidence that the outcome of the Third Congress will play a very important conceptual and practical role in promoting dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions. That will bring people closer together and strengthen inter-religious understanding in the world.

- I want to stress that an open intercultural and interreligious dialogue is one of the key issues of domestic and foreign policy of Kazakhstan, - said Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The Head of State wished all the participants peace and harmony, inspiration and wisdom, happiness and kindness.

Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi on behalf of the Forum participants expressed great appreciation to President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev for the organization of the Congress.

Grand Imam has also stressed that the Congress plays an important role in a global inter-faith dialogue.