On 14 May 2025, H.E. Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban, Ambassador of Thailand, participated in the Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 (UNVESAK) at the Parliament House in Canberra. The event was organized by the Buddhist Federation of Australia (BFA) in collaboration with the Buddhist community in Australia.

 

At the opening ceremony, the Honourable Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, Ms. Maria Kovacic and Mr. David Shoebridge, Senators from New South Wales, delivered their welcome speeches. Senior Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan OAM, President of the BFA, then delivered opening remarks highlighting the significance of Vesak Day, the importance of studying and practicing the Buddha’s teachings, and the background and importance of UNVESAK in Australia.

 

Vesak Messages were also read on behalf of the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, and Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Both messages extended warm wishes to Buddhists, recognizing Vesak Day as a significant occasion to honour the Lord Buddha and his teachings as inspiration for interfaith understanding and coexistence.

 

Thereafter, the Ambassadors of countries co-sponsoring the UN General Assembly Resolution 54/115, officially recognizing the importance of Vesak Day – including Ambassadors from Thailand, Bhutan, and India – took turn to deliver Vesak Remarks.

 

On this occasion, H.E. Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban highlighted the importance of Vesak Day, which offers an opportunity for Buddhists to reflect on the Lord Buddha’s teachings and for people of all beliefs to engage with one another and to live together in multicultural societies. She also noted that Thailand has been hosting the United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations since 2004, inviting religious leaders, scholars, and practitioners to exchange views and knowledge. The 2025 celebration was held on 10 May, presided over by the President of the Privy Council, representing Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.

 

The UNVESAK in Australia was first held in 2007 at Sydney Town Hall. This year, the event was held at Parliament House in Canberra for the 2nd time - the first being in 2010. Moreover, this year’s celebration marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations’s resolution recognizing the importance of Vesak Day.