24 Leaders Ring Peace Bell and Make Wishes for Peace | WPN World People News

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, right, presents a certificate of honor to Dr. Aldo Manos, former director of UNEP.

The world has recently faced unprecedented challenges and crises, such as wars, economic crises, human rights violations, and frequent natural and man-made disasters. Many important international conferences took place in June 2022, including the Stockholm+50 International Conference convened by the United Nations in Stockholm, Sweden (June 2-3); the 25th Eurasian Economic Summit in Istanbul, Turkey (June 7-9); and the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2022 in Washington, D.C. (June 28-30). During these three important conferences, special ceremonies of ringing the "Bell of World Peace and Love" were hosted by Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy (Tai Ji Men) and the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), with a total of 24 visionary leaders ringing the Bell. Former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, after ringing the Bell, stated that the world is in great need of advocacy activities such as those promoted by Tai Ji Men, and that peace is of utmost importance to everyone.

Eve Bazaiba Masudi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment of the Democratic Republic of Congo, rang the Bell and made a wish for peace.

Delegates from 10 Countries Ring the Bell to Pray for Sustainable Development During Stockholm+50

The Stockholm+50 International Conference, convened by the United Nations in 2022, with the theme "A Healthy Planet for the Prosperity of All - Our Responsibility, Our Opportunity," was co-hosted by Sweden and Kenya on June 2-3. The two-day conference included four plenary sessions, three leadership dialogues, and numerous side events and associated events, bringing together environmental activists from around the world. Among the events, two with the theme of "conscience" were co-organized by Tai Ji Men, FOWPAL, and ECOSOC-accredited NGO Association of World Citizens (AWC).

Donald Kaniaru, former director in the Division of Environmental Policy Implementation at UNEP, center, and Qaiser Nawab, director of Business Development for the Middle East, left, listen to a brief introduction to the Bell of World Peace and Love by a FOWPAL delegate.

A total of 11 visionary leaders rang the Bell, including Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ghana; Dr. Maminata Traore/Coulibaly, Minister of Environment, Energy, Water and Sanitation of Burkina Faso; Harald Fries, Director and Deputy Head of Department of International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines (2010-2016); Amb. Nancy Karigithu, Principal Secretary and Special Envoy for Maritime and Blue Economy of Kenya; Eve Bazaiba Masudi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment of Democratic Republic of Congo; Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management of Belize; Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairperson of Global Environment Facility and former Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica; Philda Kereng, Minister of Environment and Tourism of Botswana; Dr. Aldo Manos, former Director of UNEP; Donald Kaniaru, former Director in the Division of Environmental Policy Implementation at UNEP; and Qaiser Nawab, Director of Business Development for the Middle East.

Eve Bazaiba Masudi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment of the Democratic Republic of Congo, rang the Bell and wished “for a better world, peace, love and security.”

Dr. Aldo Manos, who is 89 and a former director of UNEP, rang the Bell and stated, "I know that peace is our most important objective, but we also know that it's the most difficult one, so this requires all our commitment, all our energy, and all our faith, and I am very humbled and honored to be invited here today in front of this very important symbol." He emphasized, “Conscience is the essence of environmental protection.” As a veteran of the world's first Earth Summit 50 years ago, he is now invited back to Stockholm+50 and encourages young people to go beyond their dreams and return to Stockholm in 2072.

Donald Kaniaru, former director in the Division of Environmental Policy Implementation at the United Nations Environment Programme, rang the Bell and stated, “Peace is the foundation of life and development in that it is the basis of human understanding at one with nature and really the hope of humanity. So we all should subscribe to it for our happiness.”