On the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) Consortia, which includes the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, collaborated with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Bahai International Community to host a significant high-level event titled “Innovative Intra- and Inter-faith Peacebuilding: Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief for the Achievement of the SDG 2030 Agenda and Beyond.”

The 78th UNGA Session took place amidst a backdrop of substantial global crises and uncertainty. These crises were multifaceted, encompassing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, the repercussions of conflicts, and disruptions in energy and financial systems. Unfortunately, these emergencies had regrettably set back the progress made towards the 2030 Agenda. However, within these challenges, there lay a unique opportunity for us to come together, acknowledge our collective efforts, and devise innovative and transformative strategies to fulfill the commitments of the 2030 Agenda.

US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, H.E. Rashad Hussain sharing opening remarks.

Speakers joining online in the hybrid event: Ambassador Fred Ngoga (Senior Advisor on International Partnerships on the AU Border Program and Regional Security Mechanism), Priscilla Gwamzhi (M&E Officer of RURCON Nigeria), Ruby Kholifah (Secretary General of Asian Muslim Action Network), and Rama Baito (JISRA Project Coordinator of CAPNI for Humanitarian Aid in Iraq).

It was within this context that the high-level event on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) was organized, with the objective of highlighting FoRB’s integral role in achieving the SDGs. In his opening remarks, H.E. Rashad Hussain, the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, emphasized that freedom of religion or belief can serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in the pursuit of the SDGs and the establishment of just, peaceful, and equitable societies. Amb. Hussain further emphasized how faith leaders had responded to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by collaborating with health organizations and addressing vaccine hesitancy. He underscored the vital role of partnership with faith leaders, stating that the 2030 Agenda and any other human development initiatives cannot be accomplished without their involvement.

During the subsequent discussions, speakers highlighted the innovative intra- and inter-religious initiatives at the grassroots level, particularly those involving women and youth, which offerrf valuable insights and localized solutions for advancing FoRB and, by extension, the SDGs’. Dr. Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, pointed out that while religion or freedom of religion or belief were not explicitly mentioned in the 2030 Agenda, she urged UN Member States to formally recognize their significance in advancing human development in the post-2030 Agenda.

Watch the full recording of the event here.