UN General Assembly
2007

tolerance, which has become a decisive factor in efforts to ensure peace, stability and the economic progress of Kazakhstan. Conscious of the critical importance of a dialogue between world religions on key issues of the modern world order, Kazakhstan hosted, in 2003 and 2006, forums of leaders of world and traditional religions where religious opinion makers were trying to find not only a language of mutual understanding but also mechanisms for easing interfaith tensions in the planet’s hot spots. I propose that the Third Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, scheduled for 2009, be convened under the auspices of the United Nations. I also propose the proclamation of one of the coming years as an international year of convergence of cultures and religions. Just days after the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, Pope John Paul II visited our country. He said that that tragic event should not become a cause for confrontation between religions. I strongly believe that there are no problems in the world that cannot be solved if we set harmony, tolerance and