The UK government has announced plans to hold a World Summit to Promote Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in July 2022 in London to boost international efforts to combat persecution.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said on Tuesday that the two-day summit on July 5-6 will result in collective action to promote respect between different religious and non-religious communities across the world.

The aim is to bring together international governments and religious leaders to ensure that everyone, everywhere, can freely practice their own religion or belief.

“I want everyone, everywhere, to be free from discrimination and persecution, whatever their opinions and beliefs,” said British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

“We have used our G7 presidency this year to defend and advance these fundamental freedoms and we will build on that next year when we welcome friends and partners from around the world,” she said.

FCDO said the conference will play a key role in shaping the network of freedom that the UK, as a staunch champion of freedom, is building around the world. The London summit follows on from previous FoRB events organized by the United States and Poland.

In February 2020, the UK became a co-founding member of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance and in May of this year, under its G7 chairmanship, the UK said it had obtained – for the very first time – the inclusion of FoRB issues in the communiqué to the meeting of the G7 foreign affairs and development ministers.

“The UK continues to take all forms of human rights abuse and violations very seriously, which is why we are laying the groundwork for further global action to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief for all . International collaboration is the only way to bring about real change, ”said FCDO Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad.

Fiona Bruce MP, UK Special Envoy for FoRB, added: “The conference will be a crucial opportunity to engage with our international partners to ensure that the rights of all individuals, regardless of religion or belief , be fully protected and respected, no matter where they are in the world, without fear of prejudice or persecution. PTI AK SCY

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