International conference Religions against Terrorism took place in Astana

In the run-up to the XV meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions, the international conference Religions against Terrorism was hosted in Kazakhstan's capital. The event is among a set of initiatives on combating international terrorism voiced by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev at the 70^th Session of the UN General Assembly.

The Conference brought together MPs, religious leaders, leadership of international organizations and experts.

Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Kasym-Jomart Tokayev read out the message by Nursultan Nazanrbayev in which the Prsident of Kazakhstan expressed hope that the Conference would give a tangible impetus to the unique dialogue successfully deployed within the Congress of World and Traditional Religions.

Kasym-Jomart Tokayev spoke on the consolidation of efforts of the entire humanity as the only response to the terrorist threat. He underscored that religious leaders and MPs, as full-fledged trusted people's representatives, had to be better involved in fighting extremism.

Sergey Rybakov, Chair of the IPA CIS PC on Culture, Information, Tourism and Sport, Vice-Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture, also spoke at the Conference stressing the stake of the IPA CIS in promoting inter-religious and cross-cultural dialogue, being the credible forum for developing cooperation of MPs with representatives of various confessions.

Deputy Head of IPA CIS Secretariat Alexey Dolzhikov attended the Conference.

The Conference approved and adopted the Statement calling the global community to join efforts in combating terrorism and expressing hope that the constructive dialogue would be continued in a sustainable manner. OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella read out the Statement on behalf of all the Conference participants.

The forum supported the initiative of Kazakhstan's President on building the UN-led Global Anti-Terrorist Coalition and the adoption of a comprehensive UN-sponsored document in line with the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the resolutions of the UN Security Council. The participants also called on the international community to support the Manifesto of the President of Kazakhstan Peace in the XXI Century.