From May 7 to 11, 2014 (B.E. 2557), the 11th United Nations Day of Vesak celebration was held for the second time in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Bai Dinh Convention Centre, Ninh Binh Province. The event drew participants from 95 countries and territories and was supported by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

The celebration centred on the theme with His Holiness Thich Duc Nghiep, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, delivering the keynote address. Panel discussions addressed five sub-themes:

• Buddhist Response to Sustainable Development and Social Change
• Buddhist Response to Global Warming and Environmental Protection
• Buddhist Contributions to Healthy Living
• Peace-building and Post-Conflict Recovery
• Buddhist Education and University Level Curriculum

The distinguished speakers for the panel discussions included:

• Prof. Dr. Lewis Lancaster, University of California, Berkeley, USA
• Prof. Dr. Le Manh That, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Vietnam Buddhist University, Vietnam
• Prof. Dr. Karam Tej Singh Sarao, Head and Professor of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University, New Delhi, India
• Prof. Dr. Padmasiri De Silva, Professor, Monash University, Australia
• Prof. Dr. G.A. Somaratne, Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong
• Prof. Dr. Damien Keown, Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of London, UK
• Dr. Christopher Queen, Study of Religion, Harvard University, USA
• Ven. Dr. Mahinda Deegalle, Emeritus Professor of Religions, Philosophies and Ethics, Bath Spa, University, UK
• Dr. Eric S. Nelson, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA
• Prof.Dr. Colin D Butler, University of Canberra, Australia

The participants unanimously agreed on the Ninh Binh Declaration, which outlined key points for Buddhist contributions to global development goals.

The declaration outlines seven key articles addressing global challenges through Buddhist perspectives, with the primary goal of supporting UN Millennium Development Goals.

The main themes include:

Global Commitment: Buddhists collectively commit to supporting UN Millennium Development Goals through social engagement and spiritual guidance.

• Sustainable Development: Emphasizing interdependence across social, economic, and environmental domains, with a focus on human potential and universal development.

Peace-building: Promoting conflict resolution through dialogue, non-violence, and compassion. The declaration calls for:

• Peaceful dispute settlements
• Proactive peace promotion
• Universal peace education
• Addressing issues of war, violence, and intolerance

Environmental Protection: Advocating for:

• A new environmental ethic
• Sustainable economic development
• Balancing development with environmental preservation

Healthy Living: Focusing on holistic health by:

• Promoting physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual growth
• Collaborating with health organizations
• Addressing fundamental human needs
• Applying Buddhist meditation techniques

Education: Proposing a transformative educational approach that:

• Integrates wisdom and compassion
• Incorporates Buddhist philosophy and ethics
• Prepares children academically, emotionally, and spiritually
• Encourages mindfulness and cross- traditional scholarship

Policy Implications: Calling on world leaders to:

• Incorporate Buddhist ethical insights into development goals
• Develop compassionate political and economic systems
• Adopt moral and ethical virtues
• Support Buddhist NGOs in social welfare and disaster relief

Subsequently, Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, President of the ICDV, together with the executive committee, Sangharajas, Mahanayakas, and Buddhist devotees from around the world, gathered to commemorate the United Nations Day of Vesak at the United Nations Conference Centre and took part in the candlelight procession held at Buddhamonthon in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, on 12 May 2014.