Remarks by Chargée d’Affaires of Ukraine to the UN Khrystyna Hayovyshyn

at the Commemoration of the International Day of Vesak

(14 May 2025)

Mr. Chair,

The delegation of Ukraine expresses our respect and sincere gratitude to the Permanent Missions of Thailand and Sri Lanka for organizing this important event with a beautiful ceremony dedicated to the International Day of Vesak.

We join in extending our warm greetings to all nations and peoples celebrating this sacred day – marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha, whose teachings on compassion, non-violence, inner peace and harmonious coexistence are especially relevant in troubled and challenging times that our world is going through today.

Ukraine is home to a Buddhist community that is an integral part of our country’s rich religious and cultural diversity. We deeply respect the rights of national and religious minorities, recognize their contribution to our society and fully support the freedom to celebrate religious traditions.

Today, as our country defends itself against an unprovoked and brutal aggression, we are more mindful than ever of these universal principles embodied in Buddhist teachings – respect for life, human dignity, non-violence, pursuit of peace.

Yet peace cannot exist without justice. We believe that lasting peace must be built on truth, dignity, equality, fairness and accountability. This is the foundation of our vision for a just peace – a peace grounded in the UN Charter, international law, which safeguards the sovereignty, territorial integrity of states and human rights.

On this Day of Vesak, let us reflect and act together in unity, in the spirit of Gautama Buddha’s teachings – striving for peace in making all effort in support of rule of law in our world which has to prevail over rule of force.

Happy Vesak day to all!

Thank you.