KRABI, Thailand – International participants have issued the Krabi Declaration on Contemplative Practices, Compassion and Collective Well-Being, urging greater global cooperation to advance human dignity, mutual understanding, and human rights through meditation and contemplative practices.
The declaration was adopted at the 2nd United & Present International Gathering on Contemplative Practices, Compassion and Collective Well-Being, held in Krabi, Thailand, from October 12 to 14, 2026. The event was convened by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in partnership with the Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute (BGVI) and Dharma Alliance.
The declaration builds on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 79/137, which established World Meditation Day and recognized meditation as a cross-cultural practice that supports health and well-being.
Participants emphasized the importance of respecting diverse spiritual, religious, Indigenous, philosophical, cultural, and secular approaches to meditation while recognizing their potential contributions to compassion, dialogue, and peaceful societies.
The declaration outlines eight recommendations, such as strengthening inclusive dialogue, expanding interdisciplinary research, promoting knowledge exchange, and developing accessible resources through the United & Present Digital Hub. It also encourages increased participation from Indigenous communities, young people, researchers, human rights practitioners, and representatives of contemplative traditions worldwide.
The declaration reaffirms the importance of international cooperation in exploring how contemplative practices support collective well-being and the promotion and protection of human rights.
These recommendations will inform the forthcoming 2026 report titled Meditation, Compassion and Collective Well-Being, and guide future research, partnerships, and practical activities. The participants also thanked OHCHR, BGVI, and Dharma Alliance for convening the gathering, and all participants for their engagement and contributions to the Dialogue. (NNT)
