The Chairman of the Joint International Organizing Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak, the Most Venerable Professor Phra Dharmakosajarn, said that the Fourth International Buddhist Conference next year would coincide with the auspicious occasion of the 80th birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

Phra Dharmakosajarn, who is also the Rector of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya, said that participants in the Third International Buddhist Conference showed keen interest in taking part in this conference again next year.

Talking about the third conference, which was concluded on May 10 at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, he said that Thai people had witnessed the enthusiastic cooperation and contributions of all participants from 45 countries. The participants were also very glad to learn that this conference had received strong support from the Thai government.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Information Services, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, (UNESCAP), Mr. David Lazarus, said that one of the major reasons why the United Nations recognizes the Day of Vesak is that it considers international recognition of the Day would constitute acknowledgement of the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and half millennia. He said that Buddhism contributes to world peace and religions and continues to make a spiritual contribution to people around the world and to humanity.