Today, the II International Forum “Dialogue of Declarations” kicked off in Tashkent. The forum brings together about 50 leading scholars of religion, theologians, experts, and high-ranking officials from 15 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Central Asian states.

Welcome addresses were delivered by, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS) Eldor Aripov, Presidential Advisor Ruslanbek Davletov, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Political Affairs Yusuf Aldobey, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Sodiq Safoyev, LYNC representative Chris Saiple, Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs of Uzbekistan Sodiq Toshboyev and U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick.

During the forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ISRS and the U.S. NGO “Love Your Neighbor Community” (LYNC). The document will provide a legal framework for further collaboration to promote freedom of religion and religious tolerance. Special attention will be given to cooperation within the framework of the UN General Assembly special resolution “Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance,” proposed by the President of Uzbekistan in 2018.

Commenting on the memorandum, LYNC head Wade Kusack emphasized that “our cooperation with ISRS is not just about discussing good ideas, but about the practical development of how these ideas can and should be implemented in society.” In this context, he noted that the “Dialogue of Declarations” forum in Tashkent is “not just a conversation, but a practical implementation of models from Uzbekistan and other countries in the field of strengthening religious tolerance.”

The forum is organized by ISRS in partnership with LYNC, with support from the Committee on Religious Affairs, the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, and the Samarkand regional administration.

LYNC was founded in the United States in 2017. In partnership with government bodies, civic initiatives, and religious communities, LYNC promotes freedom of conscience, responsible citizenship, mutual trust, and interaction among diverse social groups.