In a world increasingly defined by fragmentation, traditional diplomacy is struggling to keep pace. From the war in Ukraine to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, global powers remain locked in disagreement, unable to forge a shared vision for peace. Trust is eroding, multilateral institutions are under strain, and societies are retreating into ideological echo chambers.
Yet amid this political gridlock, one unconventional channel of engagement remains open: religious dialogue.
To some, religion may seem an unlikely instrument of geopolitical soft power. But for billions of people, faith remains a central moral and cultural compass – often more trusted than governments or institutions.
Religious leaders speak to the conscience of humanity in ways that policymakers cannot. Their moral authority, when mobilized, can transcend politics and help ease tensions even when formal diplomacy stalls.
This is precisely why Kazakhstan hosts the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Now in its third decade, the Congress serves as a rare forum for dialogue across religious, ethnic, and geopolitical divides.
Held every three years in our capital, Astana, it brings together senior clerics and thinkers from across the world - from the Vatican and Al-Azhar to the Russian Orthodox Church, Jewish rabbinates, Buddhist traditions, and Hindu, Sikh, and Shinto institutions. Political leaders and representatives of international organizations also attend – not to negotiate treaties, but to listen and reflect.
A quiet channel
The value of such engagement becomes clearest in times of crisis. In 2012, at the height of the Arab Spring and intensifying sectarian conflict in the Middle East, the Congress adopted a joint declaration rejecting the use of religion to justify violence.
Supported by leaders from across the Islamic world, the Vatican, and other faith traditions, it sent a clear message: Religion must never be weaponized to divide humanity.
In 2022, the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religion brought together nearly 100 delegations from over 50 countries, including pope Francis. It became one of the few spaces in the world where representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, leading Islamic institutions, Jewish leaders, Buddhists, and many others stood and prayed in the same room. Together, they reaffirmed their commitment to peace and condemned all forms of religious manipulation for political purposes.
During his visit to Astana, pope Francis called Kazakhstan “a unique laboratory of polyethnic, multicultural, and multi-confessional coexistence,” underscoring our nation’s special role as a meeting place of civilizations.
The Congress is not a substitute for statecraft, nor does it aim to solve geopolitical disputes. However, its impact is real: It keeps human connections alive where political ties have been severed; it fosters mutual understanding where narratives are polarized; and it affirms moral boundaries in a world where they too often erode.
Kazakhstan’s role in this endeavor is no coincidence. Our foreign policy has long been balanced and pragmatic, maintaining constructive relations with all major powers – including Russia, China, the European Union, and the United States.
In a fractured world, we strive to serve as a bridge through diplomacy, trade, and increasingly, dialogue.
One example of this commitment is the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, in Almaty. The hub will coordinate international and regional efforts, share best practices, and implement joint projects across government, civil society, and the private sector.
Our domestic experience strengthens our credibility. Kazakhstan is home to over 100 ethnic groups and 18 religious denominations. Though a majority-Muslim country, we are also home to Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Jews, Buddhists, and others, living peacefully under one civic framework. We have shown that diverse societies can coexist, not as an ideal, but as a daily reality.
A force for peace
All major religions advocate peace, compassion, and the rejection of violence. A powerful testament to this shared commitment is the Declaration on Human Fraternity, signed by the Holy See and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar center for Islamic learning in Abu Dhabi, on February 4, 2019. It stands as a manifestation of goodwill, mutual respect, and tolerance among believers.
This kind of moral diplomacy aligns with the emerging role of middle powers in global affairs. As major powers remain mired in rivalry, countries such as Kazakhstan are stepping forward as conveners – connecting blocs, keeping channels open, and facilitating dialogue on issues that transcend borders. The Congress is an integral part of this broader role.
The upcoming VIII Congress, to be held in September, comes at a time of deepening global uncertainty. While it does not promise diplomatic breakthroughs or binding treaties, it offers something in short supply: a space for reflection, humility, and shared responsibility. These qualities are among the most needed in today’s international discourse.
As President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed at the previous Congress: “Spiritual leaders, political and civic figures, and all people of goodwill must unite in a global movement for peace – not only to address conflicts, but to help build a new, robust system of international security, capable of responding to political, social, economic, and environmental challenges alike.”
We do not claim that the Congress can resolve the world’s crises. But in an age when formal diplomacy too often falters, it is humanitarian channels – including religious ones – that may quietly keep the flame of peace alive.
The writer is Kazakhstan’s first foreign affairs deputy minister.