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Religious leaders can help bring about

world peace – opinion

To build a new system of international security, the world requires a new

global movement for peace. I believe the role of religious leaders will be
indispensable here.

By kassym-Jomart Tokayev

It is not a secret that the world is witnessing I believe the role of religious leaders will be
rising international tensions and erosion of the indispensable here. Approximately 85% of the
global order that has been in place since the world’s people identify with a religion, making
establishment of the United Nations. Divisive it a significant factor in our lives. Religious
blocs, which have not been seen since the Cold leaders therefore have a significant influence
War, are making a swift return. As a result, on global affairs. Moreover, the sacred value of
our planet is facing severe threats, including a human life, mutual support, and the rejection
new global arms race, the threat of the use of of destructive rivalry and hostility are a set of
nuclear weapons, and the proliferation of wars principles shared by all religions. As a result,
in all formats, including hot, hybrid, cyber, I am convinced that these principles can form
and trade. the basis of a new world system.

In this atmosphere of tension and increasing How can religious leaders help push for world
geopolitical turbulences, it is vitally important peace? How can this work in practice?
to develop new approaches to strengthening Firstly, religious leaders can contribute to
inter-civilizational dialogue and trust. healing the wounds of hatred following an
Diplomacy is, undoubtedly, key to facilitating enduring conflict. Syria is a case in point.
cooperation. Kazakhstan has always supported Kazakhstan welcomes the fact that hostilities
solving disputes exclusively at the negotiating have all but ended in that country. We are
table based on the UN Charter. Our country glad to have contributed to this through
has consistently promoted principles aimed the Astana Process peace talks, which
at achieving lasting peace, security, and since 2017 facilitated negotiations between
sustainable progress across the world. Despite representatives of the Syrian government,
best efforts, conflicts remain ubiquitous in the opposition, as well as Turkey, Iran,
many regions of the world. To build a new and Russia. Yet while the hot phase of the
system of international security, the world conflict is over, the divisions within the
requires a new global movement for peace. country remain. Spiritual leaders can play

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