Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, delivers his closing speech.  

Addressing the event, Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha highlighted that the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 themed “Buddhist approach to global leadership and shared responsibilities for sustainable societies” has achieved great successes in promoting the Buddha’s teachings for peace and sustainable development.

For his part, 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 Vietnam.

He took the opportunity to congratulate the VBS on hosting the event and expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Government and people for their precious support, saying the Vesak 2019 contributed to realising the UN’s goals. 

Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for Day of Vesak, speaks at the closing ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

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

Over the past 30 years of “Doi Moi”, Vietnam has continuously ensured the freedom of religions, which has contributed to the nation building and development, he underlined.  

On behalf of the Vietnam Government and people, the Deputy PM thanked the UN, foreign guests and international and Vietnamese delegates for their supportive response and active contributions to the UN Day of Vesak hosted in Vietnam for the third time. He also spoke highly of efforts made by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the International Council of the UN Day of Vesak, and concerning state authorities and the Ha Nam provincial government in successfully organizing UN Vesak celebrations.

Finally, Seniour Venerable Thích Đức Thiện, General Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha announced the Declaration of the UN Day of Vesak 2019, named Ha Nam Declaration that promotes world peace, harmony and improvement for all people. In the nine-article document, delegates resolved to promote Buddhist values and apply Buddhist wisdom, both locally and globally, working for, and supporting sustainable societies in the current context of profound social, political, economic and cultural crises.

General Secretary Thích Đức Thiện reads the Ha Nam Declaration

PTT