Hanoi (VNA) – The 16th United Nations Day of Vesak hassuccessfully wrapped up, offering participants wonderful experiences, MostVenerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for Day ofVesak (ICDV), has said.

The event brought together domesticand foreign leaders, along with dozens of thousands of Buddhist dignitaries andfollowers.

In her opening speech, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations ArmidaSalsiah Alisjahbana, who is also Executive Secretary of the UN Economic andSocial Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), highlighted the UN’scommitments to values in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, includingcontributions of the ICDV.

Most Venerable Thich ThanhNhieu, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)and Vice Chairman of the Vesak 2019 International Organising Committee, saidthe Ha Nam Declaration issued at the event details the commitments of theglobal Buddhist community to peace building.

The event’stheme, “Buddhist approach to global leadership and shared responsibilities forsustainable societies,” has signaled the significance of the 16th UN Day ofVesak and affirmed the core values of peace and wisdom in Buddhism, whichshould be spread to build peace and spur sustainable development.

MostVenerable Thich Nhat Tu, member of the VBS’s Executive Council and Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the Vesak 2019 National Organising Committee, pointed out severalkey global challenges, such as armed conflicts, environmental degradation,changes in family and social relations, psychological diseases, and social andeconomic inequality.

With thiscontext in mind, the Buddhist view of global leadership and socialadministration orientated towards a sustainable future would play a key role indealing with these problems, he said.

The 16th UN Day of Vesak discussed five sub-themes, namely “Mindful leadership forsustainable peace”, “Buddhist approach to harmonious families, healthcare, andsustainable society”, “Buddhist approach to global education in ethics”,“Buddhism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”, and “Buddhist approach toresponsible consumption and sustainable development.”

The Ha Nam Declaration looksto send a message of peace, societal sustainability, and other relevant mattersbased on Buddha’s teachings of wisdom and compassion.

Delegates adopted an increasingly active role, both locally andglobally, advocating for, working for, and supporting sustainable societies inthe current context of profound social, political, economic, and culturalcrises.

They also invigorated the concept of “Engaged Buddhism” byactively and positively seeking the participation of internationalinstitutions.

Regarding the mindful leadership for sustainable peace, they were resolvedto emphasise dialogue and non-violent approaches for peace-building contrary tothe belief that physical strength will triumph over the weak, and encouragedthe notions of wisdom and compassion as the basis for any conflict avoidanceand resolution.

In his closing remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister TruongHoa Binh said “We hope for a bright future for humankind” and that socialuncertainties will be pushed back gradually.

The event has promoted Vietnam as a peaceful and friendly nationwhich hopes to befriend other countries, while demonstrating the VietnameseGovernment’s commitments to implementing the UN Millennium Development Goals,as well as religious freedom in Vietnam.

Vietnam has consistently pursued policies on respecting andensuring rights to freedom of religion and belief in linewith law, he said.

The Deputy PM noted theclose relations between religions in Vietnam as well as their companionshipwith the nation and contributions to national construction and defence.–VNA