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UNESCO to commemorate International Day of Vesak in line with UN resolution
View(s):The Executive Board of UNESCO this week adopted by acclamation a decision to commemorate the International Day of Vesak at UNESCO.
The decision was adopted without debate at UNESCO’s 219th Session and was based on the historic UN General Assembly Resolution 54/115 of 1999 on International Recognition of Vesak at the United Nations which was then spearheaded by former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, and was adopted on its 25th anniversary year at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on last Tuesday (26 March).
The proposal to UNESCO was led by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to France and UNESCO Manisha Gunasekera with the co-sponsorship of a cross-regional group of 38 member-states of which 16 were members of the Executive Board.
The proposal to UNESCO was led by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to France and UNESCO Manisha Gunasekera
The decision requests the Director-General of UNESCO to issue an annual message on the International Day of Vesak, and to make appropriate arrangements to commemorate Vesak annually at UNESCO Headquarters in consultation with the relevant Permanent Delegations, commencing this year (2024). It further requests the Director-General to transmit the decision to UNESCO’s General Conference at its 43rd session in November 2025 for adoption.
Ambassador Gunasekera had pointed out that the commemoration of the International Day of Vesak is “an initiative that holds profound universal significance to humanity,” and that “its celebration by people and communities spread across different countries and continents, with diverse cultural traditions, embodies the very spirit of Vesak.” She emphasised that the teachings of the Buddha and its philosophy closely align and resonate with UNESCO’s major programmes and strategic objectives, particularly in fostering inclusive education, combatting discrimination and in promoting intellectual and moral solidarity.
Speaking in support, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO Vishal Sharma stated that “the Four Noble Truths have been guiding countless generations since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha”.
He congratulated the countries led by Sri Lanka who initiated and supported the important Decision on Vesak.
The Decision during its deliberations received the endorsement and support of the Assistant Director General for Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos and the Assistant Director General for Culture Ernesto Ottone leading UNESCO’s Major Programmes III and IV, respectively, as well as of the Assistant Director General for Priority Africa and External Relations Anthony Kwaku Ohemeng-Boamah under the leadership of Director General UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The 38 Member States who co-sponsored the Decision are Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Djibouti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Romania, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, State of Palestine, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia and Vietnam.
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