A celebration was held in New York on May 20 to observe the International Day of Vesak, which falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month or May 21 this year, dedicated to Lord Buddha.
Celebrating the Buddhist International Day of Vesak in the UN General Assembly. (Photo: Sri Lankan Mission to the UN)
New York (VNA) – A celebration was held in New Yo🦩rk on May 20 to observe the International Day of Vesak, which falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month or May 21 this year, dedicated to Lord Buddha.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, representatives from missions to the UN along with nearly 500 Buddhist monks, nuns and followers attended the celebration organised by the UN.
This is an annual event at the UN since 1999 when the General Assembly approved Resolution 54/115 on the celebration of the International Day of Vesak in recognition of the contributions of Buddhism - one of the oldest religions in the world - to humankind’s spiritual life, as well as to the efforts of the international community for peace, cooperation, harmony and development.
Addressing the event, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of the Vietnamese delegation to the UN, said “as we celebrate the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Lord Buddha, we honour his noble teachings and the Buddhist philosophy, which, after more than 25 centuries, still remain relevant today.”
Teachings of the Lord Buddha are well known for their ideals of peace, justice and equality, she stressed, adding “Buddhism teaches us to love humankind, to live together in peace and brotherhood and in harmony with nature as we are a part of it.”
Throughout thousands of years of Vietnam’s history, Buddhism has been closely linked with national construction and defense. Its lofty values and fundamental principles have been deeply integrated into the everyday lives of Vietnamese people, said the ambassador.
Buddhism co-exists in harmony with other religions in Vietnam and has made significant contributions to peace, stability and development of our country and the well-being of our people, she added.-VNA
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN) highlighted noble teachings and universal message of love for mankind, of living together in peace, harmony, non-violence and tolerance of Lord Buddha at the recent celebration of International Day of VESAK in New York.
Great interest has been expressed by Buddhists and archeologists, as a 2,000-year-old Buddhist book of palms is put on display in an exhibition in Hue.
Seven giant lotus flowers floating on the central Huong River in Hue were lit up on May 14 evening to inaugurate a cultural week celebrating Buddha’s 2560th birthday.
Deputy head of the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands region H’Ngam Nie Kdam offered her greetings to local Buddhist dignitaries and followers on the occasion of Buddha’s 2560th birthday.
Vice President and General Secretary of the VFF Central Committee Tran Thanh Man has extended his best wishes to Buddhist dignitaries and followers in HCM on the occasion of Buddha’s 2560th birthday.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Celebrating the Buddhist International Day of Vesak in the UN General Assembly. (Photo: Sri Lankan Mission to the UN)
