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room with abstract mural, rectangular block, and seating
Inspired by UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskj?ld's vision of a space for inner peace and reflection, the UN Meditation Room, with a mural by the artist Bo Beskow, offers a serene environment for thought and prayer.
Photo:United Nations Visitors Centre

What is meditation?

Meditation is an ancient practice that involves focusing one’s attention on the present moment. Rooted in religious, yogic, and secular traditions across cultures, meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, it is embraced worldwide, transcending its spiritual origins to become a universal tool for personal well-being and mental health.

The most recognized definition of meditation generally describes it as a practice where an individual uses techniques such as mindfulness, focused attention, or concentrated thought to train the mind and achieve a state of mental clarity, emotional calmness, and physical relaxation.

There are diverse types of meditation, each offering unique approaches to achieving calm, clarity, and balance. Research underscores its ability to reduce stress, improve focus and emotional balance, alleviating anxiety and depression, and enhance sleep quality. It also contributes to better physical health, including lowering blood pressure and managing pain.

Technology has further expanded access to meditation, with apps and online platforms enabling individuals to practice anywhere and anytime.

Benefits of meditation

Beyond individual benefits, meditation fosters empathy, collaboration, and a sense of shared purpose, contributing to collective well-being. Celebrated for its universality, meditation is practiced across all regions of the world by people of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the significant benefits of meditation, particularly mindfulness meditation. WHO's on stress management underscore the importance of learning coping mechanisms, such as meditation, to support mental and physical well-being.

, meditation can be a powerful self-care tool to support treatment and enhance overall well-being, particularly in managing symptoms of anxiety. Incorporating mindfulness meditation into your daily routine, even for just a few minutes, can help you achieve a sense of calm and focus.

Additionally, WHO acknowledges the mental health benefits of practices like yoga, which often incorporate meditative elements. On the , WHO yoga's contributions to lifelong health and well-being, emphasizing its role in promoting healthier populations and a more equitable and sustainable world.

World Meditation Day

To raise awareness about meditation and its benefits, the General Assembly 21 December as World Meditation Day, recalling the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

Additionally, the General Assembly acknowledged the link between yoga and meditation as complementary approaches to health and well-being.

Cultivating peace and unity through meditation

At the United Nations, meditation holds a special place, exemplified by the at UN Headquarters in New York. Opened in 1952 under the guidance of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskj?ld, this "room of quiet" symbolizes the essential role of silence and introspection in achieving global harmony. As Mr. Hammarskj?ld put it, 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."

In times of global challenges, such as armed conflicts, climate crises, and rapid technological advancements, meditation offers a powerful means to cultivate peace, unity, and compassion. World Meditation Day reminds us of the importance of nurturing human consciousness to address these issues and create harmony within ourselves and our communities. By fostering inner peace through meditation, individuals contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable world for current and future generations.

Mindfulness in UN Work and Diplomacy: A Conversation with Jon Kabat-Zinn

 

Good health and well-being

Meditation is increasingly recognized for its contributions to mental health — a fundamental human right — and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasize health and well-being as central to achieving sustainable development. Goal 3, "Good Health and Well-Being," aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, addressing key challenges such as maternal and child health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and access to essential medicines and vaccines. This target also highlights the importance of mental health, universal health coverage, and the reduction of health inequities to build resilient and inclusive societies.

Unlocking your Emotions to Achieve the SDGs: Mindfulness & Meditation in Government

Did you know?

  • According to archaeologists, meditation dates back to 5,000 BCE, and the practice itself has ties to ancient Egypt and China, Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism, as well as to Christianity and Islam.
  • Estimates suggest that between 200 and 500 million people practice meditation worldwide.
  • Meditation can help reduce stress, blood pressure and anxiety, promote emotional health, enhance self-awareness and improve sleep.

Conference

United and Present: Global Solutions from Within

A Mindful Approach to Diplomacy, UN Work, and Beyond

In an interconnected and rapidly evolving world, supporting the well-being of those advancing human rights - and the communities they serve - is essential to building inclusive, resilient, and human-centred systems that make human rights a living reality in everyday life. In line with the vision of , this event affirms that meaningful and transformative change begins within individuals, institutions, and global efforts advancing justice, dignity, and sustainable solutions.

Anchored in the UN System Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, the UN Human Rights Mindfulness Initiative, and the landmark UN General Assembly resolution on World Meditation Day, the event explores how contemplative practices - such as mindfulness - can strengthen diplomacy, human rights, and systems leadership. It underscores that individual and collective well-being is not a luxury, but an essential and attainable foundation for protection, inclusion, and shared progress.

Dates: 9-11 December 2025

Venues:
9-10 December: Palais des Nations, Geneva
Livestream on
11 December: University of Geneva Auditorium
In-person attendance

Programme

Resources

Resolution

  • World Meditation Day ()

UN System

Websites

Related Observances

Psychologist and patient hold hands

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.

 

Group of people meditating

Mindfulness meditation is a great option to incorporate into your regular routine to reduce anxiety and stress, and if you’ve never tried it before, now's your chance! Find a comfortable yet alert seated position, keep your back straight, and just click play…

 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.