8th World Yoga Day Remarks, from the United Nations Global Department of Global Communications, by Jacky Tong

8th International Day of Yoga Message by Jacky Tong

Ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests,

Today is International Yoga Day. The theme for this year is “Yoga for Humanity.” Before I talk about Yoga, first, allow me to talk about the 3 Cs. What are the three Cs? The 3 Cs are the 3 crises which are facing, confronting, and challenging our humanity today.

Conflicts; Covid; and Climate Change. Around the world, conflicts are erupting with some conflicts grabbing international headlines. Some have fallen out of international spotlight, forgotten, but they continue to claim countless lives.

Globally, Covid-19…. is still far from over. And Climate Change ….is further exacerbating the already complicated situation.

To address this triple crisis, the UN and its partners are working around the clock to secure our outer peace. The UN General Assembly is dealing with over 170 items of its agenda every year.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is meeting every day. Just this morning, they met on the situation involving the Ukraine. This afternoon, they will be discussing South Sudan. The UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers are spread across four continents to keep peace, make peace, and build peace.

But what can you and I, as individuals, do to secure our inner peace? Many things. And, one of them can be practicing yoga.

As many of you know, yoga is more than just a physical exercise. It is more than just a mental exercise. The essence of yoga is balance - not just balance within the body or that between the mind and the body, but also balance in the human relationship with the world.

Yoga emphasizes the values of ----mindfulness, moderation, discipline and perseverance. When applied to our communities and our societies ---- to our humanity, Yoga offers a path for sustainable living.

Today, as we gather here, we look inward, and meditate upon our inner peace.

In 90 days, on September 21, I would like to invite to celebrate the International Peace Day with the UN. You can join the very special peace bell ringing ceremony virtually as the UN and its partners continue to build outer peace. Happy Yoga Day! Thank you.