The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, emphasized the need to amplify the voice of religions in addressing the shared challenges facing humanity, noting that we are one human family living on a shared planet.

Speaking at the closing session and press conference of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders for Climate, the Secretary-General highlighted the importance of religious voices in tackling the climate crisis to find effective solutions, in times of war and conflict to promote peace, and in addressing societal issues to encourage a more positive way of life. He pointed out that over 85% of the global population follows a religion, and religious leaders hold significant spiritual influence over millions of people worldwide.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for sponsoring the summit, reflecting Azerbaijan’s commitment to the role of religious voices in climate action. He also extended his thanks to His Virtue Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, the spiritual leader of Muslims in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, for his efforts in ensuring the success of the summit.

The Global Summit of Religious Leaders concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, organized by the Caucasus Muslims Board in cooperation with the Muslim Council of Elders, the COP29 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, under the patronage of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev. The summit gathered 300 prominent global religious leaders, foreign government representatives, senior UN officials, heads of international organizations, scholars, and religious figures.