Closing of Vesak 2025, affirming the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in the international arena

HCMC - The 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak closed this morning, affirming the role and prestige of Vietnamese Buddhism in the international arena.

On the morning of May 8, the 2025 United Nations Vesak Celebration officially concluded successfully at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy (Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) after three days of many meaningful activities.

Attending the closing ceremony were Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh ; Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen; Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh; Minister of Religion and Ethnic Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, along with Party and State leaders and representatives of leaders of other countries.

Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh at the Vesak 2025 ceremony. Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee

Also attending the closing ceremony were Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Council of Patronage, President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, President of the 2025 UN Vesak Organizing Committee in Vietnam; Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit - President of the International Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak (ICDV), along with Venerables, monks, nuns, and Buddhists.

Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh affirmed that the success of the 2025 Vesak Celebration with the theme “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development” has once again highlighted the noble responsibility of Buddhism in solving global issues.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh speaks at the closing ceremony of Vesak 2025. Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee

“The festival is a great source of inspiration, awakening faith and stirring up good energy in every person; affirming the core values ​​of Buddhism such as compassion, mindfulness and ethics, capable of showing an effective and sustainable path to solve current global problems and challenges, from comprehensive human development, environmental protection, to building a solid peace; a strong call to promote international cooperation to create a world of peace, justice and sustainable development for the common benefit of all humanity,” said Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh.

The First Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam has consistently implemented a policy of respecting and protecting freedom of belief and religion, ensuring equality and non-discrimination. He also acknowledged the solidarity, cohesion and positive contributions of religious followers to the cause of national construction and development, especially in social security work and care for the disadvantaged.

Delegates attend the closing ceremony of Vesak 2025. Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee

The success of the ceremony, according to Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, is a strong testament to the humanistic values ​​and great achievements of Vietnam, affirming the nation's cultural tradition of peace, compassion and love of peace, the correct policy of freedom of belief of the Party and State, as well as Vietnam's increasingly high international position and prestige. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh also expressed his deep gratitude to the representatives of the United Nations, international guests, delegates and all monks, nuns and Buddhists who contributed to the overall success of the ceremony.

At the closing ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Vice President and General Secretary of the National Organizing Committee of the Great Festival, announced the Ho Chi Minh City Declaration. This declaration represents Buddhism's response to the world's urgent challenges, based on the principles of non-violence and tolerance for human dignity. "We reaffirm Vietnam's role as one of the centers of world Buddhism, the center of engaged Buddhism associated with cultural diplomacy activities, promoting solidarity and harmony for peace and happiness for humanity," Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien emphasized.

Vesak 2025 was successfully held in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Member of the Council of the Patriarchate and Permanent Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that this year's Vesak celebration attracted more than 1,000 presentations focusing on the main theme of the celebration. He also quoted the President of Sri Lanka at the opening session, praising Vietnam as a resilient nation that has achieved many great achievements after historical pain.

The 2025 Vesak Festival, the fourth time Vietnam has hosted it, gathered about 2,700 delegates, including about 1,200 international delegates from 85 countries and territories, affirming Vietnam's important position in the world Buddhist community.

Laodong.vn

Source: https://laodong.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/be-mac-dai-le-vesak-2025-khang-dinh-vai-tro-phat-giao-viet-nam-tren-truong-quoc-te-1503390.ldo