Unsolved:World Meditation Day

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Short description: United Nations December observance


World Meditation Day is an international observance held annually on December 21, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/79/137 on December 6, 2024.[1][2] The resolution, adopted unanimously by all 193 member states, recognizes meditation as a universal practice that promotes mental health and well-being.[3][4] The observance aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health and well-being.[5]

Significance

In December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by a core group including India, Liechtenstein, and Sri Lanka, proclaiming December 21 as World Meditation Day.[6] The date was selected to coincide with the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the year's shortest day and longest night, symbolizing a period for introspection and renewal.[7] In Indian tradition, the date aligns with the beginning of Uttarayana, an auspicious period traditionally associated with spiritual practice.[8] Additionally, the observance falls exactly six months after the International Day of Yoga on June 21, reflecting the complementary nature of these disciplines.[9]

Member countries

World Meditation Day resolution was introduced by Liechtenstein and was supported by India, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Iceland, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Portugal, and Slovenia.[10]

History and resolution

UN General Assembly resolution

The draft resolution, designated A/79/L.27, was submitted to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 2024, under the agenda item "Global Health and Foreign Policy."[11] The proposal was led by a core group of member states including Liechtenstein, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mexico, and Andorra.[12]

On December 6, 2024, the resolution was adopted by consensus without a vote as Resolution A/RES/79/137.[13] The resolution recalls "the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health" and acknowledges the link between yoga and meditation as "complementary approaches to health and well-being."[12] It recognizes the "universality of meditation, practiced in all regions of the world," and aligns the observance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically regarding the promotion of mental health and well-being.[12][7]

Core group and co-sponsors

The resolution was initiated and presented by a core group of six member states: Andorra, India, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.[14][15]

Myriam Oehri, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein, formally introduced the draft resolution to the General Assembly. In her introductory remarks, Oehri noted that at a time of escalating global challenges—including armed conflict, the climate crisis, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence—meditation serves as an essential tool for supporting human consciousness and fostering global peace.[16][17] The resolution eventually received sponsorship from more than 50 additional member states prior to its adoption.[16]

Purpose

World Meditation Day resolution was adopted to help focus on broader goals of United Nations under Sustainable Goal 3,which promotes well being for all age groups by focussing on healthy life-style.[18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "World Meditation Day". https://www.un.org/en/observances/meditation-day. 
  2. ↑ "World Meditation Day: Resolution A/RES/79/137". December 12, 2024. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4071541. 
  3. ↑ ANI (December 20, 2025). "UN marks second World Meditation Day with focus on inner peace, global harmony". Asian News International. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/un-marks-second-world-meditation-day-with-focus-on-inner-peace-global-harmony20251220134101. 
  4. ↑ "UNGA declares December 21 as World Meditation Day". December 7, 2024. https://www.manoramayearbook.in/current-affairs/world/2024/12/07/december-21-world-meditation-day.html. 
  5. ↑ "World Meditation Day". https://www.un.org/en/observances/meditation-day. 
  6. ↑ "World Meditation Day". United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/observances/meditation-day. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "UN declares December 21 as World Meditation Day, India among co-sponsors". The Times of India. December 7, 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/un-declares-december-21-as-world-meditation-day-india-among-co-sponsors/articleshow/116062442.cms.  Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TOI_Dec7" defined multiple times with different content
  8. ↑ "UNGA declares Dec 21 as World Meditation Day in resolution co-led by India". Business Standard. December 7, 2024. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/unga-declares-dec-21-as-world-meditation-day-in-resolution-co-led-by-india-124120700097_1.html. 
  9. ↑ "UNGA declares December 21 as World Meditation Day". December 7, 2024. https://www.manoramayearbook.in/current-affairs/world/2024/12/07/december-21-world-meditation-day.html. 
  10. ↑ "UN declares December 21 as World Meditation Day, India among co-sponsors". The Times of India. 7 December 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/un-declares-december-21-as-world-meditation-day-india-among-co-sponsors/articleshow/116062442.cms. 
  11. ↑ "World Meditation Day : draft resolution". 2024-11-29. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4068243?ln=en. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "World Meditation Day". United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/observances/meditation-day. 
  13. ↑ "World Meditation Day : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly". 2024-12-12. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4071541. 
  14. ↑ "World Meditation Day: draft resolution (A/79/L.27)". United Nations. 2024-11-29. https://docs.un.org/en/A/79/L.27. 
  15. ↑ "Sri Lanka Mission to the United Nations celebrates 'World Meditation Day' in New York". https://www.un.int/srilanka/news/sri-lanka-mission-united-nations-celebrates-%E2%80%98world-meditation-day%E2%80%99-new-york. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Statement by Liechtenstein on behalf of the Core Group". Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United Nations. 2024-12-06. https://estatements.unmeetings.org/estatements/10.0010/20241206100000000/oYyeKcvhP/gwmbspVw_nyc_en.pdf. 
  17. ↑ Adalja, Archana (2024-12-10). "December 21 will be International Meditation Day, the UN declares". News India Times. https://newsindiatimes.com/december-21-will-be-international-meditation-day-the-un-declares/. 
  18. ↑ "India Backs UN Move to Declare December 21 as World Meditation Day" (in en). deccanchronicle.com. 7 December 2024. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/health-and-well-being/india-co-sponsors-un-resolution-declaring-december-21-as-world-meditation-day-1844792. 



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