Opening Remarks by Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Under-Secretary-General and Director-General, United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) on the occasion of the commemoration of International Day of Yoga at the UN Gigiri complex
18 June 2026
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Your Excellency Dr. Adarsh Swaika, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Kenya,
The Honourable Representative of the Government of Kenya to this august occasion,
Ms. Rupa Ketan Bavaria, Yoga Lead Instructor for the day,
Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is a pleasure to welcome you today to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) as we commemorate the 2026 International Day of Yoga.
The International Day of Yoga was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, recognizing the universal appeal of yoga and its contribution to health, wellbeing and harmony. Since then, 21 June has become an important moment each year to reflect on the values of balance and peace — within ourselves, within our communities, and in the world around us.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” is especially timely.
Across the world, people are living longer. This is a major human achievement. But longer life must also mean healthier, more active and more fulfilling life. Healthy ageing is not only about adding years to life; it is about adding life to years.
Wellbeing is primarily shaped by daily choices — how we move, breathe, manage stress, care for our bodies, and most especially how we maintain inner harmony and peace of mind, body, soul and spirit.
Yoga lends itself to all age brackets, offering a practical reminder that physical health and mental wellbeing are inextricably connected. For older persons, yoga can support mobility, flexibility, balance and independence, helping to remain active and engaged, physically and mentally. For younger people, it can build habits that protect long-term health.
Peace, resilience and sustainability are fundamental to the United Nations mission. Yoga brings these principles to life at the individual level. It encourages discipline without force, strength without aggression, and stillness in a world that often moves too fast.
Today’s Chair Yoga session presents us with a different dimension – a reminder that yoga can be inclusive, accessible and meaningful to people of different ages, abilities and levels of fitness, especially when practiced gently, safely and like most things, consistently.
This is very much in line with the UN values of inclusion, dignity, respect for diversity, wellbeing and leaving no one behind.
As we commemorate this International Day of Yoga, let us remember that our wellbeing and that of those around us matter. Let us also recognize that healthy ageing begins long before old age, embedded in our daily choices.
Let today’s events inspire us all to pause, breathe, stretch, reflect and recommit ourselves to healthier and more balanced lives.
I wish you all a meaningful and healthy International Day of Yoga.
Thank you. Asanteni sana.