On 5 June 2026, at the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Holy See, Ambassador Timur Primbetov held a meeting with Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See.

The meeting was also attended by Archbishop George Panamthundil, Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Father Laurent Basanese, Head of Office at the Dicastery.

During the conversation, the parties discussed matters related to the participation of a delegation of the Holy See in the events scheduled to take place in Astana in October 2026 under the auspices of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as in the Kazakhstan–Vatican Colloquium organized by the International Centre for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue.

The parties noted the importance of further strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Holy See in the areas of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, as well as in advancing the peacebuilding agenda.

The Kazakh diplomat underscored the special role of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in fostering dialogue among spiritual leaders and reaffirmed the readiness of the Kazakh side to maintain close engagement with the Holy See in preparation for the forthcoming events in Astana.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue working-level contacts on substantive and organizational matters.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-vatican/press/news/details/1235736?lang=ru