Closing Ceremony of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2014

On the afternoon of May 10, at Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh), the United Nations Vesak 2014 closed after 3 days of organization.

Attending the closing ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, leaders of central ministries and branches, international and domestic delegates and thousands of Buddhists from all over the country present at Bai Dinh Pagoda.

Panorama of the closing ceremony.

The ceremony received a message from the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and delegates. The ceremony agreed on the Ninh Binh Joint Declaration for the development of world Buddhism.

The Ninh Binh Declaration clearly states on peace building and post-conflict recovery; calls for promoting reconciliation of conflicts, criticizing the use of force and threats of force; and respecting life, practicing compassion and non-violence through dialogue and cooperation among parties.

The statement also emphasized the need for political leaders to resolve disputes related to sovereignty, sovereign rights, territorial integrity and jurisdiction over exclusive economic zones and continental shelves through negotiations and other peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to maintain world peace, stability and cooperation.

The representative of the International Organizing Committee of the UN Vesak Celebration announced the successful organization of Vesak 2014 in the beautiful country of Vietnam, and expressed deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Government for its great support for the successful organization of the Vesak 2014.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized that the 2014 UN Vesak Celebration in Vietnam was a great success. The flag of humanity, peace, friendship and cooperation of the Celebration was raised high in Hanoi in 2008 and this time in Ninh Binh.

The ceremony was solemnly and dignified with nearly 10,000 delegates, including 1,500 international delegates from 95 countries and territories, along with tens of thousands of Vietnamese monks, nuns and Buddhists, in a spirit of democracy, harmony and friendliness. The noble ideology of the ceremony with the theme "Buddhism contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals" was solemnly proclaimed in peace and great responsibility.

The Vietnamese Government highly appreciates the contributions to the success of the Great Ceremony and acknowledges the efforts of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in successfully organizing this important event.

The Deputy Prime Minister also warmly congratulated the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the International Organizing Committee, the 2014 Vesak Organizing Committee, Vietnamese agencies, Ninh Binh province and all monks, nuns and Buddhists at home and abroad - those who have devoted much effort, enthusiasm and time to Vesak 2014 to achieve good results today.

* On this occasion, the International Committee organized the International Buddhist Film Festival with the participation of more than 40 countries and territories around the world.

According to chinhphu.vn