DECR official participates in IV International Buddhist Forum in Tuva

DECR Communication Service, 20/08/2026

On 17^th–20^th August 2026, the IV International Buddhist Forum on Buddhism in the Dialogue of Cultures: The Future of Humanity took place in Kyzyl, the capital of the Republic of Tuva. The event was organized by the Government of the Republic of Tuva, the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research, the Central Spiritual Administration of the Buddhists of Russia and the Office of the Kamby Lama of the Republic of Tuva, with the assistance of the Presidential Executive Office and the Roscongress Foundation.

Taking part in the forum were over 300 delegates from Russia, Mongolia, China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Japan, Cameroon and other countries. Among the participants in the conference were religious leaders, including those from the Buddhist and Hindu communities, as well as statespersons, representatives of foreign countries’ diplomatic missions and business community, scholars and researchers.

The conference opened on 18^th August with a plenary session, during which messages of greeting were read out from Mr V.V. Putin, President of the Russian Federation; Mr S.V. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Mr S.K. Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation; and Mr D.N. Chernyshenko, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation. Among the speakers were Mr V.T. Khovalyg, Head of the Republic of Tuva; Mr B.S. Khasikov, Head of the Republic of Kalmykia; Mr A.S. Tsydenov, Head of the Republic of Buryatia; Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka; Mr Zong Xing, First Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China; and Mr A.V. Maslov, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Priest Iliya Kashitsyn, DECR Secretary for Interfaith Relations, attended the conference with the blessing of the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations.

On 19^th August, the DECR representative delivered an address during the Section on Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue in Russia and Around the World, which took place at the Tuvan State University. Among its participants were also representatives of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation and regional authorities, as well as university rectors, religious studies scholars and religious leaders from Russia, China, Mongolia, Malaysia, Cameroon and other countries.

In his address, Priest Iliya Kashitsyn focused on Russia’s experience of interfaith relations and their historical context. He also spoke about the present-day relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and other religions, including Buddhism. In his speech, Father Iliya mentioned several large-scale interfaith events, such as the World Summit of Religious Leaders held in Moscow in 2006.

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DECR official participates in IV International Buddhist Forum in Tuva

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons