Religious leaders who met in Tokyo, call for an end to wars and all conflicts

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was represented by His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Co-President of the International Organisation “Religions for Peace”, at the 2nd Tokyo Peace Roundtable Conference, held in Japan from February 18 to 21, 2024.

The religious leaders and representatives of different religions, religious communities and organisations from 15 countries, who participated in this important International Meeting, addressed a resounding message to world leaders and to every person of good will for the immediate end of ongoing wars and all forms of conflict and violence, pointing out the common responsibility to resolve disputes by peaceful means, which preserve and respect the sanctity of life and human dignity, especially of our most vulnerable fellow human beings.

In their joint Declaration, which they issued after the completion of the work of the Conference, which had as its purpose the joint study of the various crises in the world and in particular the war in Ukraine after the merciless invasion of Russia, as well as the critical situation in the Middle East, participants emphasise the importance of interfaith dialogue and cooperation in order to promote and prevail peace, to build trust between different communities, but also to protect holy places and unhindered access to them.

The declaration also makes note of humanitarian aid in war zones needing to be decoupled from political pursuits and the need to focus on restoring peace, security, justice and human dignity [Read the full text of the Declaration HERE].

On Tuesday afternoon, 20 February 2024, as part of the Conference proceedings, the participants visited, the Japanese Parliament, where they had the opportunity to brief the members of the Commission responsible for Religions for more than two hours.

It is recalled that the previous Conference was held in Tokyo, in September 2022.