Alexey Tsydenov, the Head of Buryatia, presented the information about the II International Buddhist Forum during Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum

When he was giving a speech at the discussion panel 'Polycentricity as a norm of the future world without colonies and hegemons', he said: 'Integration and the values of Buddhism are becoming more important in the world today'. Alexey Tsydenov also talked about the contribution of Buddhist countries into the world economy, and the experience of holding the First International Buddhist Forum in the republic and the upcoming event.

‘The integration and values of Buddhism are becoming increasingly important in the world today. The United States, Great Britain and the European Union account for only 10.3% of the world's total population, while the countries in which Buddhism has its historical roots account for almost 50%, and the GDP of Buddhist countries is also 50% of the world GDP. We see that polycentricity is different - it is not only economic and military, but it is also the polycentricity of cultures and ideologies. And the theme of Buddhism is also about polycentricity. It has its own culture, moral values and philosophy. Integration and values of Buddhism are also becoming more important in the world today. It seems to me that we do not have such obscurantism today that occurs in the West. And the preservation of such vital value orientations that exist in Russia today, in our Orthodoxy, in Islam and Buddhism, is also polycentricity', Alexey Tsydenov said. The Head of Buryatia recalled that in August 2023, the first International Buddhist Forum was held in Buryatia, which was attended by representatives of 13 countries - China, India, Mongolia, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and others, which make up 50% of the world's population. He noted that in multinational, multi-confessional Russia there are also Buddhist regions - these are Buryatia, Kalmykia, Tyva and Altai.

‘This year, we will host the second Buddhist forum in August, and the representatives of China, India, Mongolia, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam are also coming - in general, all countries where Buddhism is present in one way or another. Of course, it is present everywhere, but in these countries it has historical roots and it is represented significantly. I invite everyone to the Republic of Buryatia for the Buddhist forum', summed up his speech Alexey Tsydenov.

The I International Buddhist Forum 'Traditional Buddhism and the Modern Challenges' was held in Buryatia on August 17-19, 2023. More than 600 people took part in it, including 150 foreign participants from 13 countries of the world. There were representatives of the clergy belonging to various Buddhist movements and schools, government officials, public figures and scientists. The forum was organized by the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, the Government of Buryatia, the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research with the support of the Roscongress Foundation. The II International Buddhist Forum will be held in Ulan-Ude from August 12 to 14 and will be dedicated to the 260th anniversary of the Institution of Pandito Hambo Lama, the elected head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha in Russia (BTSR).