Domestic and foreign delegates attend the closing ceremony of the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 wrapped up at Tam Chúc Pagoda in Kim Bảng District, Hà Nam Province, on Tuesday, with the adoption of the Hà Nam Declaration that promotes world peace, harmony and improvement for all people.

In the first chapter of the nine-article document, delegates stated they resolved to adopt an increasingly active role, both locally and globally, advocating for, working for, and supporting sustainable societies in the current context of profound social, political, economic and cultural crises.

Addressing the closing event attended by international Buddhist leaders, delegates, scholars and leaders of the Vietnamese Party, State and Government, Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu, vice chairman of the Executive Committee of the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha, highlighted the theme of the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019: “Buddhist approach to global leadership and shared responsibilities for sustainable societies”, saying the event had contributed to realising the UN’s goals to be achieved by 2030.

The success of the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 celebration would help the VBS strengthen co-operation and friendship with the world Buddhist community, he said.

Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, president of the International Council for Day of Vesak, called the three-day celebrations “a wonderful time together” thanks to the hospitality and generosity of the Government, the VBS and people of Việt Nam.

“The Vesak 2019 celebrations have been a great success. You have set a higher standard of Vesak celebrations this time,” he said.

He took the opportunity to congratulate the VBS on hosting the event and expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Government and people, saying: “We've all had a good time and good memories of Việt Nam. I believe most of us would like to come back again for the nation’s 4th hosting of Vesak in the future.”

According to Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, the host of the UN Day of Vesak in 2020 had yet to be decided.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình addressed the closing ceremony, speaking highly of the outcomes of the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019, including the adoption of the Hà Nam Declaration, presentations that dealt with various topics, the contribution of encouraging comments, and experience sharing from international and local scholars and Buddhist leaders.

“The 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 was a rendezvous for us to share our passion for promoting peace, happiness and improvement,” Bình said.

Over the past 30 years of “đổi mới” (renewal), Việt Nam had continuously ensured freedom of religion, which had contributed to national development, he underlined.

"Vesak", the day of the full moon in the fourth lunar month, is the year’s most sacred day for the millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak 2,500 years ago that Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that Buddha passed away.

The UN’s commemoration of Vesak has been held for three times in Việt Nam. It was previously held in Hà Nội in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Bình in 2014.

The 16th United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 brought together 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories. VNS