Today regular ninth Session of the Secretariat of the Congress was opened under the chairmanship of Kasym-Zhomart Tokaev, the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament, the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, in the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana.     

Kasym-Zhomart Tokaev expressed his gratitude to the leaders of delegations for active participation in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and efficient exchange of the opinions on agenda of the Session in his conclusive speech.  

Having noted the significance of continuous contacts and dialogue of the leaders of world religions for further enhancement of the Congress activity, the Speaker stressed that "traditional unity of world nations and interdenominational consent are the most valuable heritage we can pass to next generations".  

The participants of the Session considered all the issues of the Agenda, approved the Protocol of the ninth Session of the Secretariat of the Congress, discussed the draft of the topics of expected IV Congress and defined the date of the tenth Session of the Secretariat of the Congress.    

Moreover, the composition of the Working Group on the preparation of final documents of the expected Forum was affirmed. 

Addressing to the members of new Working Group headed by Kuanyshev D., the Ambassador atheist of MIA, the Speaker wished a success in further activity and expressed wishes concerning the analysis of ideas and opinions read at the third Congress, the preparation of proposals on the agenda and topics of the fourth spiritual Forum.   

Kasym-Zhomart Tokaev, the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament, the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held a row of bilateral meetings at the same day. 

Up-to-date topical problems, the roles of religious leaders in establishment of lasting peace were discussed in the process of the conversation with Haled Akashe, the Chief Expert on Islam of Papal Council on Inter-religious Dialogue, Emberti Galoretti, the Representative of Saint Egidio and Georgiy Roschin, the Deputy Chairman of the Department on interrelations of the Church and the Community of Moscow Patriarchate.

Touching upon the problems of enhancement of the Congress activity, K.Tokaev said in favour of "alike meetings, including summits, should be held in form of the dialogue between religious officials and leading politicians".

In connection with expected arrival of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill to Kazakhstan the Speaker noted the importance of the event and stressed that "the visit of His Holiness will be historic without any overstatement".   

The participants of the Session of the Secretariat appreciated the results of the third religious Forum held this summer in Astana.     

In their opinion, the fact that today the representatives of religions of many countries express their desire to enter the Secretariat of the Congress witnesses growing authority and influence of the Congress in the promotion of interdenominational and inter-civilization dialogue.   

                                                                    Press Service of the Senate of  Parliament