85 countries and territories to attend the United Nations Vesak Festival 2025

This is the information announced by the Organizing Committee of the 2025 UN Vesak Festival at a press conference on the afternoon of April 22, 2025, in Hanoi . Speaking at the press conference, Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang - Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha said: "The United Nations Vesak Festival is one of the most important international Buddhist events held annually, recognized by the United Nations since 1999 to honor three important events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni: Birth, Enlightenment and Nirvana".

The Vesak celebration is an opportunity for the global Buddhist community to review the noble values ​​of Buddhism, promote inter-religious dialogue, enhance international understanding and cooperation for peace and sustainable development of humanity," affirmed Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang.

Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang - Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at the press conference (photo TD)

Vietnam has successfully hosted and organized three United Nations Vesak celebrations in 2008 with 87 countries participating at the My Dinh National Convention Center, Hanoi; 2014 with 95 countries participating at Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh Province; and 2019 with 112 countries participating at Tam Chuc Pagoda, Ha Nam Province.

The 20th United Nations Day of Vesak this year was hosted by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of Vietnam celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

Venerable Thich Gia Quang said that the VBS hosting the United Nations Vesak 2025 is an opportunity for international friends from all over the world to come to Ho Chi Minh City. This is also an opportunity to introduce the image of the country and people of Vietnam who love peace, friendliness, solidarity and harmony. For international friends to witness Ho Chi Minh City as dynamic, creative, prosperous and thriving after 50 years of national reunification. Vietnam integrates, develops and strives with the world in the new era.

In addition to the main theme “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development”, the 2025 United Nations Day also has sub-themes: Nurturing Inner Peace for World Peace, Forgiveness and Healing through Mindfulness: The Path to Reconciliation, Buddhist Compassion in Action: Shared Responsibility for Human Development, Mindfulness in Education for a Humane and Sustainable Future, Promoting Solidarity: Collaborative Efforts for Global Harmony.

To date, the Organizing Committee has received 620 papers in English and 330 papers in Vietnamese. The papers focus on the topics of peace, sustainable development, and the application of Buddhist teachings in modern society.

The 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival is expected to attract more than 2,700 delegates, including about 1,250 international delegates from 85 countries and territories. Delegates representing the United Nations, international organizations, and countries expected to attend include: President of Sri Lanka and accompanying ministerial officials; Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Buryatia (Russian Federation); Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Republic of India; Minister of Cults and Religions of the Kingdom of Cambodia; United Nations officials; Ambassadors of countries in Vietnam.

The 2025 United Nations Vesak Celebration Program will begin on May 3, 2025 with the Opening Ceremony of the Worship of Buddha's Relics - the National Treasure of India at Thanh Tam Pagoda, Vietnam Buddhist Academy, Le Minh Xuan Campus (Binh Chanh District) and the Heart Relics of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc at Vietnam National Temple (3/2 Street, Ho Chi Minh City).

The official opening ceremony of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival will take place at 8:00 a.m. on May 6, 2025. In addition to the official activities, the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival will also have spiritual and cultural activities taking place at the campus of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy, Le Minh Xuan Campus, Binh Chanh District, such as: Traditional Buddha bathing ceremony; Memorial ceremony to pay tribute to heroic martyrs on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the 6 countries (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) according to traditional Buddhist rituals typical of the three regions of the North, Central and South; Lantern night to pray for world peace...

Thuy Duong

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/85-quoc-gia-va-vung-lanh-tho-tham-du-dai-le-vesak-lien-hop-quoc-2025-post546242.html