Following is the text of the address delivered by Monsignor Khaled Akasheh, bureau chief for Islam Secretary Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, in the Vatican at the Global Summit of Religious Leaders on the margin of COP29 in Bahu Baku, convening on November 5-6, 2024 and titled, “The role of religious and faiths leaders and organizations in promoting green future and raising awareness on and combatting climate change”:

“The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” (Gaudium et Spes, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in Modern World, 7 December 1965, n. 1)

What is affirmed here about Christians, dear brothers and sisters, can be applied on all believers, in particular the religious leaders. We meet in context of COP29 in Azerbaijan, a country well known for its hospitality. Our hosts deserve our gratitude for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.

I am honoured and pleased to represent at this Summit the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican, bringing to you the greetings and good wishes of its Prefect, His Eminence Cardinal Miguel Ayuso, impeded from participating for health reasons.

Our shared concern in this important gathering is the “Climate Change”, with other phenomena affecting our “Common House”–these are the words of Pope Francis–as the global warming, draughts, desertification, floods. The tragedy that happened in Valencia, Spain, few days ago, is under our eyes with hundreds of victims and massive destruction of properties. I was surprised when I read that, also due to climate change, we will have more turbulences during our air travels.

Human activity, as we are all aware, is the major responsible for our “planet sicknesses” and their negative effects on our lives.

As religious leaders, we do not have political power to take decisions that contribute to stop the deterioration of our planet and work for its healing. However, we have “soft power”, deriving from the religious and moral authority we have inside our respective communities and sometimes beyond them. Such power is for the common good, and does not aim at dominating upon others. We can adopt such wise and humble attitude, while addressing the multiform crisis of our planet, out of our sense of responsibility towards present and future generations.

I am inspired in the few proposals I am about to make, by a word from the book of Psalms: “Lord, my heart is not haughty, I do not set my sights too high. I have taken no part in great affairs, in wonders beyond my scope.” (Psalm 131, 1)

1) Let us raise awareness in our communities and beyond if we were able to do so, about the dangers our planet is facing, as a result of climate change and global warming. 

2) Everyone can contribute to meeting the challenges of our common house by saving water, electricity, avoiding waste of food, recycling the garbage, planting trees when possible. Other good practices can be found in particular contexts.

3) A new and sober style of life is necessary. This is the “ecological conversion” Pope Francis is advocating.

4) Prayer for our sick planet is a new expression of our caring love for the Creation. Pope Francis established a day of prayer for the planet on 1^st September. Not only believers, but also persons of good will without religious belonging can join such initiative in ways they consider appropriate for them.

5) Let us support researchers engaged is studies and experiments aimed at healing and protecting the Creation. As per our vote, it should favor “green politicians”.

6) Caring for the Creation is a way of rapprochement and collaboration between all the inhabitants of this world regardless of their ethnic, religious and cultural identities or their political choices. This a manner of strengthening our fraternity and friendship as human beings.

7) We condemn all wars, because there are no “holy wars”: “only peace is holy”, stresses Pope Francis. War is a “holistic disaster” that includes killing of humans, destruction of the infrastructure and of environment, pollution of the air, of water and of the soil, destruction of the cultural and religious heritage of peoples and nations.

May God grant wisdom and courage to religious and political leaders, and to all who exercise any kind of power! May He support them in their service to our planet and to all its inhabitants!

I thank you for your kind attention and wish you all peace and success in your endeavors.