Chinese Xinhua news agency ran an article highlighting the opening ceremony of the event on May 11 at Tam Chuc Pagoda.
This year, the UN Day of Vesak is themed “Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies,” aiming to contribute to realizing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, read the article.
Alongside opening and closing ceremonies, its program includes one domestic and five international workshops on issues like responsible leadership for sustainable peace, Buddhist approaches to family issues, healthcare, education, morality, responsible consumption, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Buddhism.
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The United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak 2019 is underway at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam province. |
This is the third time the UN's commemoration of Vesak has been held in Vietnam. Previously, it has taken place in Vietnam's capital Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014.
On May 12, Prensa Latina news agency also ran a story on the UN Day of Vesak 2019, saying that leaders of many countries as well as representatives from international and religious organisations have emphasized the contributions of Buddhism to the growth and harmony of humankind.
It noted that the UN Vesak Day 2019 drew many state leaders, including Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli; Myanmar President Win Myint; Indian Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) Venkaiah Naidu; Chairman of the National Council (Upper House) of Bhutan Tashi Dorji; and 1,650 delegates from more than 570 foreign delegations of 112 countries and territories, along with more than 20,000 Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, and followers.
The event also drew United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay, and Founding President of the UN Vesak Day’s Organization Board Pra Brahmapundit.
Source: VNA