KAICIID’s Mission to Foster Transformative Dialogue and Climate Action in Baku

From November 5–6, 2024, Dr. Zuhair Alharthi, Secretary General of the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID, will participate in the Global Summit of Religious Leaders, organized within the framework of COP29 under the theme World Religions for a Green Planet. The event aims to amplify a multifaith voice for environmental action, enhancing faith actors’ impact on environmental stewardship. This event exemplifies the essential role of religious and spiritual communities in combating climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the goals of the Paris Agreement. KAICIID’s involvement reaffirms its commitment to strengthening interfaith dialogue at both regional and global levels. The Global Summit of Religious Leaders is held under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, and is organized by the Caucasus Muslims’ Board, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, and the Muslim Council of Elders.

As climate issues intensify, solutions demand a collaborative, holistic approach. KAICIID’s participation in the Baku summit ahead of COP29 underscores a commitment to impactful dialogue. Aligned with SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), KAICIID aims to unify diverse perspectives to foster sustainable solutions, emphasizing the critical role of interfaith partnerships in addressing shared ecological responsibilities.

Building Faith Bridges for Environmental Change

KAICIID’s dialogue model integrates ethical, spiritual, and practical perspectives on global issues. Faith communities, with their moral foundation in stewardship, compassion, and unity, play a powerful role in addressing climate challenges. The KAICIID Global Dialogue Forum, held in May 2024, exemplified this approach by bringing together faith leaders to actively engage in sustainable solutions.

At the summit, KAICIID will emphasize key engagements, including:

The KAICIID Global Dialogue Forum: A Blueprint for Change

KAICIID recognizes the potential of secular and religious alliances and the importance of dialogue spaces to address intersectional challenges. The KAICIID Global Dialogue Forum serves as a transformative platform where interfaith dialogue leads to actionable outcomes. The May 2024 Forum united religious voices worldwide, promoting solutions that link sacred ecology with climate resilience. This forum demonstrates KAICIID’s approach to transformative dialogue, setting a standard for effective interreligious cooperation.

Through the KAICIID Fellows Programme, KAICIID equips dialogue leaders with skills in policy and religious literacy, empowering them to address climate and peace issues. With over 50 initiatives globally, the Fellows Programme amplifies grassroots voices, fostering dialogue on climate and peacebuilding.

Regional Focus: Expanding Dialogue in New Areas

KAICIID’s 2025 strategy emphasizes regions with limited programmatic engagement, particularly the Caucasus and Latin America, as centers for transformative dialogue.

In collaboration with UNEP, KAICIID has pursued initiatives to support environmental education through e-learning. KAICIID signed a Donor Agreement (DA) with UNEP on December 16, 2020, along with two License Agreements (LAs) to develop joint e-learning courses. Notable collaborations include:

• An e-learning module within KAICIID’s 'Engaging Faith Actors to Support the Implementation Process of the Sustainable Development Goals' course, initiated in 2020.
• An eight-module e-learning course titled 'Faith, Environment and Climate Change´ developed in 2021.
• A series of two thematic webinars hosted from 2020 to June 2021 in collaboration with UNEP's Faith for Earth Initiative.

Further discussions are underway with UNEP to expand the scope of cooperation, exploring possibilities to strengthen collaboration beyond e-learning initiatives.

A Vision for a More Connected, Sustainable World

KAICIID’s engagement in the Global Summit reaffirms that transformative dialogue can drive global progress. Through multistakeholder involvement, regional growth, and alignment with the SDGs, KAICIID fosters dialogue that inspires sustainable, ethical action across cultures. This outreach is more than a mission; it is an invitation for faith communities to lead in creating a sustainable future. Together with its partners, KAICIID stands not only as a participant in global solutions but as a leader in forging them. The organization reaffirms its commitment to dialogue platforms and aspires to engage in future editions, especially with the 2025 Presidency to be held by Brazil; a region where KAICIID is launching programmatic expansions and developing a regional strategy.