The event was co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, in its capacity as Chair of the International Day of Play 2026, in collaboration with UNICEF, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the LEGO Foundation and a core group including the delegations from Bulgaria, El Salvador, Jamaica, Kenya and Luxembourg.
According to the VNA correspondent in New York, the highlight of the commemoration was the high-level round table on the theme “Protecting play, protecting childhood.” In her opening speech, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said play is a fundamental right of children, enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child; She emphasized that play helps children develop their cognitive, emotional and social skills, while helping to build healthier, more supportive and more sustainable communities.
Delegates also shared numerous initiatives and commitments aimed at promoting the right to play, improving education through play, creating child-friendly public spaces and integrating the right to play into national development policies.
The highlight of the program was the way in which children from many countries directly facilitated some of the discussions, simply sharing their experiences and aspirations for safe, free and creative spaces and opportunities for play. Their messages, both simple and profound, generated broad consensus and strong support among the delegates present.
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Speaking at the discussion session, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN and President of the International Day of Play 2026, emphasized that play is a fundamental right of all children and must be translated into concrete actions in practice.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to raising awareness among parents and caregivers about the role of play; to promote education through play; and to develop safe and child-friendly spaces in schools, communities and the digital environment.
The ambassador also shared Vietnam’s efforts to educate children about preventing accidents caused by landmines and unexploded ordnance after the war, aiming to ensure a safe environment for children to learn, play and develop; affirming that protecting the right to play means protecting childhood and helping to build a global and sustainable future for all children.
In addition to the high-level segment, many creative and interactive activities were organized at the UN Headquarters site, attracting the participation of children and adults. Notably, to mark the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, organizers also broadcast live the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
On March 25, 2024, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 78/268 designating June 11 as International Entertainment Day, an initiative of Vietnam and Central Group countries including Bulgaria, El Salvador, Jamaica, Kenya and Luxembourg, with 138 co-sponsors.
The resolution recognizes the crucial role of play in the holistic development of physical, mental and social skills at all ages, and calls on Member States and UN agencies to strengthen their awareness-raising activities and promote concrete actions to ensure the right to play for children around the world.
Source : https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/viet-nam-dong-chu-tri-le-ky-niem-ngay-quoc-te-vui-choi-tai-lhq-20260612124712189.htm
