Brian Jeffrey
UN Day of Vesak 2025 Highlights
During the closing ceremony of the UN Day of Vesak 2025 on May 8, Venerable Thich Duc Thien, who holds multiple significant positions in the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha and the National Organizing Committee, presented the Ho Chi Minh City Joint Declaration.
This year’s event, hosted in Vietnam, was particularly meaningful as it allowed the global Buddhist community to join the Vietnamese people in celebrating 50 years of national reunification and the approaching 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Being the fourth occasion for Vietnam to host the UN Day of Vesak reaffirmed the nation’s vibrant and diverse religious landscape and its dedication to upholding religious freedoms.
The organizing committee emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to respecting and protecting the rights to freedom of religion and belief for all its citizens.
In this setting, UN Day of Vesak showcased Buddhism’s essential role in promoting solidarity, peace, tolerance, and sustainable global development.
This year’s celebration mirrored the collective desire to utilize Buddhist teachings and ethical responsibilities to tackle urgent global challenges like conflict resolution, social justice, environmental sustainability, and fostering international cooperation, all in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A Prominent Global Buddhism Hub
The occasion also solidified Vietnam’s role as a key player in the global Buddhist sphere, demonstrating an engaged Buddhism that marries spiritual practices with cultural diplomacy aimed at fostering peace.
After engaging discussions emphasizing compassion, wisdom, and harmony, participants collectively adopted and released the Ho Chi Minh City Declaration, which addresses critical global issues through the lenses of non-violence, tolerance, and human dignity.
The main points of the declaration include:
- Fostering unity and respect for human dignity
- Encouraging inner peace as a foundation for global peace
- Promoting forgiveness and healing via mindfulness and reconciliation
- Taking compassionate action for collective human growth
- Incorporating mindfulness in education for a compassionate, sustainable future
- Encouraging unity and cooperation for worldwide harmony
The International Council for the Day of Vesak also supported the China Buddhist Association’s proposal to host the event in 2026.
In the spirit of Vesak 2025, delegates committed to applying Buddhist wisdom and ethical responsibility through collective efforts to promote world peace, protect human dignity, and ensure the planet’s well-being.
The declaration urges all nations to focus on peace policies, environmental sustainability, and economic fairness instead of arms development and excessive resource exploitation.
It also calls on global institutions to integrate Buddhist ethical principles into governance, diplomacy, and sustainable development. International organizations are encouraged to see Buddhist wisdom as a crucial tool for resolving conflicts and guiding ethical leadership.
The global Buddhist community is invited to be active participants in shaping ethical leadership, advocating for economic justice, and promoting environmental sustainability.
“May the Ho Chi Minh City Declaration serve as a moral guide, a strategic framework, and an urgent call for a fairer, more peaceful, and sustainable world,” concluded Venerable Thich Duc Thien.
