On 17 September 2015, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) convened a high-level event in Astana with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, then 4th Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan. The gathering formed part of CPFA’s mission to promote dialogue on peace, reconciliation, and global governance. Tokayev underlined Kazakhstan’s role as a platform for international dialogue and the importance of fostering multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges.

The event was dedicated to the theme of peace in the world, which explains the broad participation of distinguished figures, including former presidents and Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Among those present were Shimon Peres, former President of Israel; José Luis Rodríguez Zapater, former Prime Minister of Spain; César Gaviria, President of Colombia; Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland; Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel Peace Prize laureate; and Mohamed ElBaradei, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The debate highlighted lessons from different peace processes and approaches to conflict resolution around the world. Alongside these distinguished participants, Randa Kassis, President of the Astana Platform, reiterated the urgent need for inclusive negotiations in conflicts such as Syria, stressing that lasting solutions require the involvement of all relevant actors.