Prime Minister Prachanda and UN Secretary-General Guterres issued a call for world peace from Lumbinni.

October 31, 2023: Lumbini:  On Tuesday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini and issued a joint call for global peace, compassion, and goodwill. They articulated their vision of Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace, evolving into a worldwide hub for peace and harmony with support from the international community.

Supported by UN funding, Kenzo Tange devised the Lumbini Master Plan, propelling its international recognition as a pilgrimage and tourism destination. Prime Minister Prachanda recognized the pivotal role played by past United Nations Secretary-Generals in Lumbini's progress. He highlighted Lumbini's UNESCO World Heritage Site status since 1997, underscoring its global historical and cultural significance. He stressed the universal importance of the values of peace, compassion, and harmony rooted in Buddhism, emphasizing their relevance to all. Additionally, he pointed out that Nepal's foreign policy is founded on the principles of Panchsheel, non-alignment, the United Nations charters, and international law.

 

The Prime Minister lauded Secretary-General Guterres for his Lumbini visit and his dedicated attention to the repercussions of climate change in Nepal's Himalayan region, enhancing global awareness of environmental protection.

During a press conference in Lumbini, Secretary-General Guterres called for peace, compassion, and fraternity worldwide. He urged the world to embrace Buddha's teachings to attain peace and highlighted Buddhism's relevance in today's world, particularly in light of ongoing global conflicts and human rights violations. He referenced crises in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and Gaza, shedding light on the numerous casualties, including children, the elderly, and civilians, as well as human rights abuses. He implored the world to integrate Buddha's teachings into today's world for peace.

Before the press conference, the Prime Minister and Secretary-General Guterres inspected the Asoka Pillar, sharing their insights with journalists. Guterres inspected the pillar and addressed reporters, underscoring Lumbini's role as a nexus for world peace and heritage preservation. He emphasized that his current visit, like those of previous UN Secretary-Generals to Lumbini, underscores the United Nations' unwavering commitment to global peace.

 

Guterres arrived in Lumbini from Pokhara, where he received a warm welcome from the Prime Minister, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirant, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, State Minister of Culture Sushila Shripali Thakuri, Treasurer Dhundiraj Bhattarai, Member Secretary Sanuraja Shakya, Project Chief Saroj Bhattarai, and other officials. After the welcome ceremony, Secretary-General Guterres participated in the annual tree plantation program by planting a sapling in Lumbini. Subsequently, he visited the Maya Devi Temple, observed the Marker Stone, and explored the Puskarni Pond.

Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust, expressed his enthusiasm following the visit, believing that Secretary-General Guterres' presence would significantly contribute to Lumbini's development and heritage preservation, cementing its status as a global peace center. Dr. Lama recognized the substantial roles played by past UN Secretary-Generals in Lumbini's advancement and emphasized Guterres' visit as a testament to the United Nations' commitment to global peace and heritage conservation.

 

Dr. Hari D. Rai, the Information Chief, provided insights into Lumbini's history, spirituality, and the Lumbini Master Plan to the Secretary General Guteress and his entourage. Additionally, at the Maya Devi Temple premises, archaeologist Basant Bidari briefed him about the archaeological monuments.

Guterres becomes the sixth UN Secretary-General to visit Lumbini, following the footsteps of Dag Hammarskjold in March 1959, U Thant in April 1967, Kurt Waldheim in February 1981, and Ban Ki-moon in November 2008.