The President of the Senate of Parliament of Kazakhstan and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Maulen Ashimbayev, carried out a working visit today to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Upon arrival at the Magistral Palace, he was welcomed with military honors by the Grand Chancellor Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo.
During the meeting, topics of mutual interest were discussed, including strengthening humanitarian cooperation both in Kazakhstan and in third countries, promoting interreligious dialogue, and the possibility of developing joint initiatives in the fields of cultural diplomacy, training, and support for vulnerable communities. Both parties recognized Kazakhstan’s role as a key actor in regional peace and stability processes and highlighted the importance of collaboration with the Order, given its millennial humanitarian experience – particularly in hospital management – and the activities it has carried out for years supporting the most vulnerable communities.
At the conclusion of the talks, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Sovereign Order of Malta and the International Center for Interreligious and Interconfessional Dialogue. The document, signed by the Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs of the Order of Malta, Giampaolo Cantini, and the Chairperson of the Board of the International Center for Interreligious and Interconfessional Dialogue, Gulsana Kozhabay, represents a concrete step toward launching joint programs in interreligious dialogue, academic exchanges, and training activities aimed at fostering social cohesion and building bridges between different religious communities.
Following the signing, Ashimbayev met with the Grand Master Fra’ John T. Dunlap. During the audience, discussions focused on the shared commitment to peace, protection of human dignity, and consolidation of multilateral initiatives, also considering the participation of the Order, on various occasions, in the activities of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
