BANGKOK — Delegates, spiritual leaders and policymakers from more than 70 countries gathered in Thailand on Thursday as the 21st International Vesak Day Conference and Celebration opened with a call to apply Buddhist principles to global challenges including climate change, poverty and social cohesion.
Held under the theme “Buddhist Wisdom in Promoting Global Sustainable Development and Building a Shared Future for Humanity,” the three-day conference is being staged at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok and at Phutthamonthon, a major Buddhist centre in neighbouring Nakhon Pathom province.
Recognised by the United Nations as an internationally significant observance, Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha and has become an important platform for dialogue on ethical and social issues.
In his opening address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described Vesak as “a beacon of compassion and ecological responsibility” and urged governments to incorporate Buddhist insights into contemporary sustainability policies.
“Vesak reminds us that inner transformation fosters ecological harmony,” Mr Guterres said, linking the conference’s objectives to the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Organisers said the dual-venue format was designed to combine high-level policy discussions with spiritual and cultural engagement. While the UN Conference Centre is hosting plenary sessions and diplomatic dialogues, Phutthamonthon is providing space for meditation programmes, workshops and cultural activities.
The conference agenda includes discussions on mindfulness and climate action, Buddhist approaches to poverty alleviation, and interfaith cooperation in water conservation. Delegates will also examine practical examples, including reforestation initiatives in Sri Lanka and Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness framework.
Among the featured speakers are environmental campaigner Dr Vandana Shiva and the Buddhist scholar Bhikkhu Bodhi.
Alongside policy discussions, organisers have scheduled a series of public cultural events, including traditional Vesak lantern displays, devotional chanting and communal alms offerings. An exhibition on environmentally sustainable monastic architecture is also being held at the UN Conference Centre and is open free of charge to residents and visitors.
The conference is expected to conclude on June 1 with the adoption of a “Bangkok Declaration”, calling for stronger integration of Buddhist ethical principles into international policymaking.
Organisers expressed hope that the gathering would strengthen international cooperation on climate resilience, poverty reduction and sustainable development, while promoting a more compassionate approach to global governance.
