International Day of Vesak 2024 commemorated at UN Office in Geneva

For the second consecutive year, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva joined hands with the Permanent Mission of Thailand in Geneva to organize the celebration of the International Day of Vesak at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, on 24 May, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Foundation, the Foreign Ministry stated. 

The Director General of the UN Office in Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, graced the event as the Chief Guest.

In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka, underlined the key role played by Sri Lanka in gaining international recognition for the Day of Vesak in 1999 and recalled the pivotal role played by then Foreign Minister the late Lakshman Kadirgamar in this regard. He tabled the draft resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of 10 countries, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand that recognized the Day of Vesak, acknowledging the contribution that Buddhism has made for over two and a half millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity. The resolution was co-sponsored by a cross regional group of 34 countries. This year’s commemoration of the Day of Vesak at the UN is particularly significant as 2024 marks the 25th Anniversary since the adoption of the of the UNGA resolution. Co-host of the event, Ambassador of Thailand Usana Berananda and Chief Guest, Director General Valovaya, also delivered remarks on the occasion.

Delivering the key note address on “How Mindfulness Can Enhance the Ethical Use of All” Most Venerable Uda Eriyagama Dhammajiva Thero, Abbott and Chief Preceptor of Meetirigala Nissarana Vanaya Monastery of Sri Lanka underlined that “mindfulness” which is also known as “choiceless awareness of one’s self in the present moment” is the basis for ethical use of artificial intelligence. Venerable Dhammajiva Thero also called for support to declare a ‘Mindfulness Day’ at the United Nations.

Minister of Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, who was in Geneva to attend the World Health Assembly also participated at the event.  Special messages were delivered by the Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of China, Nepal, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, and Pakistan, and representatives of Bhutan, Lao PDR, and Myanmar.

The event was attended by a number of ambassadors and permanent representatives, including those  from France, Ukraine, Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia and representatives of Belarus, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Portugal, Lithuania, Russian Federation, Sudan, Uganda, and the European Union, as well as the Sri Lankan and Thai Buddhist community living in Switzerland.

Members of the Maha Sangha recited Karaniya Metta Sutta invoking blessing on all those present. The event concluded with Sri Lankan and Thai refreshments.