Cuong made his call while addressing more than 1,000 foreign delegates to the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City on May 6.

He highly appreciated Vesak 2025’s theme that is “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development.”

The theme of Vesak 2025 reflects the aspiration and vision of our era, as it connects Buddhist values with global initiatives, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, he said.

The president recalled the core teachings of the Buddha, including loving-kindness, tolerance, and wisdom that remain deeply relevant and are a source of inspiration for global peace and sustainable progress.

The Buddha taught that true peace arises from a serene and pure inner self, and therefore, peace can only be cultivated by transforming the beliefs of each individual, which in turn leads to the transformation of collective beliefs across society, he stated.

According to the president, Vietnamese Buddhism, with its over 2,000-year history, has always stood by the nation and now contributes actively to international Buddhist affairs.

He reaffirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam always appreciate and create favourable conditions for religions, including Buddhism, to operate according to the law, and that they consistently implement the policy of respecting and protecting the freedom of belief and religion of all people, considering it an important foundation for building the bloc of great national unity.

In today’s world and in the years to come, he said, peace, cooperation, and development remain the prevailing trends. However, the world continues to face numerous challenges such as wars, conflicts, climate change, inequality, poverty, and the devastating impacts of natural disasters and global pandemics.

These challenges call on all of us to strengthen solidarity, foster mutual respect and cooperation, and take collective action toward a peaceful, sustainable world that upholds human dignity, he said.

He proposed that countries infuse compassion into policymaking and wisdom into development strategies, and uphold the spirit of selflessness and altruism to work not for personal gain but for the benefit of all.

In his opening remarks, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Vice Supreme Patriarch, President of Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and Chairman of the National Organising Committee for Vesak 2025 looked back on the historical journey of Vietnamese Buddhism.

He said Vietnamese Buddhism is proud to have contributed to the nation’s glorious victories, embodying the resilience and wisdom of the Vietnamese people - most notably symbolised by the eternal flame of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc’s heart and generations of monks, nuns, and lay followers who dedicated themselves to the cause of national liberation.

The heroic 50-year journey shows us clearly that the path Vietnam is taking is one of solidarity, compassion, and the vision of a society where everyone lives in peace, happiness, and harmony, he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV), praised Vietnam’s excellent organisation of the event. He emphasised that the ICDV holds the annual Vesak celebration as a platform to discuss pressing global issues, encourage interconnection and learning among Buddhist communities worldwide, and foster collective development.

Vesak 2025 is getting underway with a variety of activities in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6 – 8.

United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 launched in Vietnam

VOV.VN - The United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 officially opened at the Vietnam Buddhist University II in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, attracting the participation of more than 2,700 delegates from 85 countries and territories worldwide.