About World Meditation Day
World Meditation Day — 21 December
World Meditation Day is a United Nations observance, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, inviting people everywhere to pause, practise and connect on 21 December.
Vision and mission
Vision
Meditation as a basic human lifestyle.
Mission
To cultivate a thriving, inclusive global meditation ecosystem.
Why 21 December
What it is
World Meditation Day is a global observance established by the United Nations to raise awareness about meditation and its benefits for physical and mental health. It calls on individuals, communities and nations to take a moment for inner peace — contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Why the date
21 December was chosen as it marks a turning point in the natural cycle — the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a moment when days begin to lengthen again, symbolizing renewal, hope and the return of light. It invites us to reflect, reset and realign.
From an idea to a United Nations observance
How it began
In November 2023, alumni of Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Chinese Classics Program — Lan Lu, Zhaohui Xiang and Tianhong Tang, with advisor Fang Li — invited Venerable Miao Hai to share his insights on meditation. During the 2023–2024 winter retreat at Bongamsa Temple in Korea, Miao Hai, Jinbeom and Mugwan discussed appealing to the United Nations Secretary-General to establish a World Meditation Day, and organised a working secretariat together with the Shanghai alumni.
On 24 February 2024, Miao Hai, Jinbeom and Mugwan submitted a formal petition to the UN Secretary-General, joined by 45 co-initiators. The UN Secretary-General's office responded positively on 22 March 2024, advising that a formal proposal be raised by a UN member state — beginning the coalition's outreach that engaged the core group of six member states and, ultimately, 71 co-sponsoring nations.
The UN resolution
On 6 December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day (Resolution A/RES/79/137), recalling the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The resolution was driven by a coalition of meditators, who rallied the core group of six member states — Andorra, India, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Nepal and Sri Lanka — to take the lead, with the support of 71 co-sponsoring countries.
Our journey
2024
- February — Petition to the UN. Meditators and supporters submitted a proposal to the UN Secretary-General.
- May — Diplomatic Outreach. Liechtenstein engaged small and medium-sized neutral countries in outreach.
- September — Foundation Registered. World Meditation Foundation (WMF) legally registered in Liechtenstein (23 Sep).
- October — Draft Resolution. Contributed to finalizing the text of the UN draft resolution.
- December — UN Resolution Adopted. UNGA's 79th session adopted the proposal by 71 countries, designating 21 Dec as WMD.
2025
- January — Preparatory Forum Launched. "Future World Meditation" Forum convened (22 Jan), launching the WMDC prep group.
- March — 15-Minute Daily Meditation Campaign. Global campaign launched and promoted worldwide.
- June — First General Assembly. WMD Association held its First General Assembly in Liechtenstein (21 Jun), announcing 3 initiatives.
- October — 1st AI+Mindfulness Symposium. ETH Zurich — also WMDC's formal debut, announcing its five sub-committees.
- December — First Global Synchronized Meditation. Took place on World Meditation Day (21 Dec), uniting participants worldwide.
2026
- March — 2nd World Meditation Day Forum. Held in Seoul (20-21 Mar): "Heart of Harmony" – Science, Tradition & Future of Meditation.
- June — The First World Symposium on Meditation and Empathy. The First World Symposium on Meditation and Empathy was hosted by WMDC in Rome (18–21 June).
“This house, dedicated to work and debate in the service of peace, should have one room dedicated to silence in the outward sense and stillness in the inner sense.”
— Dag Hammarskjöld, on the UN Meditation Room, opened 1952, United Nations Headquarters, New York