UNJournal Kayla Lee | Adopted at the conclusion of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (September 17–18, 2025), the Astana Peace Declaration 2025 has emerged as a landmark document in contemporary interreligious diplomacy. It outlines concrete directions for international
cooperation in peacebuilding, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue.
The Congress brought together over 100 delegations from around 60 countries, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s role as a global platform for dialogue among civilizations. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the growing challenges of geopolitical tensions, hybrid conflicts, and ideological divisions, emphasizing the vital role of spiritual leaders as moral guides in the international community.
The Declaration underscores the importance of protecting religious sanctities and cultural heritage, strengthening cooperation with the United Nations, and promoting initiatives such as the “Movement for Peace.” It also expands the scope of interfaith dialogue to include global security, technological transformation, and sustainable development, positioning religion as a strategic force for trust-building and conflict prevention.
The Republic of Korea actively contributed to the Congress through the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Representing the Order, Venerable Jeong Beom emphasized the importance of Seon meditation as a pathway to inner peace and a foundation for global harmony, while Venerable Mun Jeong participated in discussions on youth engagement in peaceful coexistence.
Key outcomes of the Declaration include strengthening UN cooperation, preventing the misuse of religion for extremism, expanding youth and women’s participation, and promoting education to counter radicalization. It also clearly states that terrorism must not be associated with any religion or culture.
Notably, the Declaration introduces new global agendas, including ethical governance of artificial intelligence and climate responsibility as a moral imperative. The proposal to establish an Interreligious Commission on AI Ethics reflects a commitment to human-centered technological development.
Looking ahead, the Declaration opens new avenues for Kazakhstan–Korea cooperation in cultural exchange, academic collaboration, AI ethics research, and climate action. Within frameworks such as C5+K, it reinforces the humanitarian dimension of strategic partnerships.
Ultimately, the Astana Peace Declaration 2025 affirms that religion in the 21st century can serve not as a source of division, but as a powerful force for unity—shaping a new global model grounded in respect, trust, and shared responsibility.
