July 28, 2025, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Holy See, Timur Primbetov, met with the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal George Koovakad and the head of the Vatican's office for Islam, professor Laurent Basanese.

Cardinal Koovakad and professor Basanese will represent the Vatican at the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will take place in Astana this September.

The Kazakh diplomat informed his counterparts on the preparations for the Congress and presented the draft Program for the event.

T.Primbetov noted that more than 100 authoritative religious leaders and representatives of various confessions from around the world are expected to participate in the upcoming Congress.

Cardinal Koovakad, for his part, stressed that in the context of growing global challenges, conflicts and polarization, platforms such as the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions are vitally important. The Vatican sees this initiative by Kazakhstan as a unique opportunity for dialogue that promotes mutual understanding and the search for solutions to existing problems.

The meeting was held in an atmosphere of openness and mutual understanding. Both sides reaffirmed their firm commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding practical interaction across the entire spectrum of Kazakhstan-Vatican relations.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-vatican/press/news/details/1041698?lang=kk