The United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak 2019 is underway at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – International media have given muchspace to reporting on the United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak 2019 in Vietnam’snorthern province of Ha Nam.
Chinese Xinhua news agency ran an article highlighting theopening ceremony of the event on May 11 at Tam Chuc Pagoda.
This year, the UN Day of Vesak is themed “Buddhist Approachto Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies”, aimingto contribute to realising the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, read thearticle.
Alongside opening and closing ceremonies, its programmeincludes one domestic and five international workshops on issues likeresponsible leadership for sustainable peace, Buddhist approaches to familyissues, healthcare, education, morality, responsible consumption, and theFourth Industrial Revolution and Buddhism.
This is the third time the UN's commemoration of Vesak hasbeen held in Vietnam. Previously, it has taken place in Vietnam's capital Hanoiin 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014.
On May 12, Prensa Latina news agency also ran a story on theUN Day of Vesak 2019, saying that leaders of many countries as well asrepresentatives from international and religious organisations have emphasised thecontributions 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 WinMyint; Indian Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House)Venkaiah Naidu; Chairman of the National Council (Upper House) of BhutanTashi Dorji; and 1,650 delegates from more than 570 foreign delegations of112 countries and territories, along with more than 20,000 Vietnamese Buddhistdignitaries, monks, nuns, and followers.
Theevent also drew United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretaryof the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay, andFounding President of the UN Vesak Day’s Organisation Board Pra Brahmapundit. –VNA