Federation of World Peace and Love

Equatorial Guinea's President Rings the Ancient Bell of World Peace and Love at the UN

New York, NY—“Dong! Dong! Dong!” Witnessed by diplomats, Equatorial Guinea's government officials, community leaders, and peace promoters, H.E. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea rang the Ancient Bell of World Peace and Love at the United Nations on Feb. 5, 2019. This was the first time that this ancient Bell was rung at the UN. H.E. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo made his wish for peace: “Es necesaria La Paz y armonía de los seres humanos en el mundo.” (Peace and harmony are necessary for human beings in the world.) His Excellency shared that he participated with satisfaction in this important bell ringing ceremony on behalf of his country and people and also in his capacity as President of the Security Council of the United Nations in February 2019. 

The event, under the theme of  “Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience,” was co-hosted by the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and the Permanent Mission of Equatorial Guinea to the UN. In appreciation of Equatorial Guinea's joint efforts in organizing the event, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to H.E. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Ambassadors from various Permanent Missions to the UN were present, including H.E. Mr. Anatolio Ndong Mba, Permanent Representative of Equatorial Guinea to the UN; H.E. Ms. Amparo Mele Colifa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Equatorial Guinea to the UN; H.E. Mr. João Gimolieca, Deputy Permanent Representative of Angola to the UN; H.E. Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN; H.E. Mr. Jean Claude do Rego, Permanent Representative of Benin to the UN; H.E. Ms. Mariame Fofana, Deputy Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso to the UN; H.E. Mr. José Luis Rocha, Permanent Representative of Cabo Verde to the UN; H.E. Mr. Jaime Hermida Castillo, Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the UN; H.E. Mr. Sam Condor, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the UN; and H.E. Mr. Frederick Shava, Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the UN. Additionally, delegates from the Permanent Missions of other nations to the UN, such as India and Namibia, were also present. Community and NGO leaders also attended the event, such as Harlem’s Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely; Rev. Cornell Edmonds, the Pastor of the Church of the Covenant; and Ms. Bircan Unver, Founder-President of The Light Millennium.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, pointed out the significance of the bell ringing ceremony in his welcome remarks, “At the beginning of 2019, it is especially meaningful to hold the Ceremony of Ringing the Ancient Bell of World Peace and Love at the headquarters of the United Nations. Passed down for millennia, this ancient bell contains the wisdom of our ancestors necessary for the stabilization of the planet. The sound of the bell touches people’s hearts and brings forth the ultimate source of goodness deep in the bell ringers’ and audience’s souls, so that conscience can be exercised in their daily lives.”  

After ringing the Bell, H.E. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo delivered a speech and stated that his government considers that the greatness of a people is not measured by its geographical dimensions, but rather by its spiritual strength and humanitarian leadership, which enhance the search for peace and healthy coexistence among nations. His Excellency expressed his most heartfelt congratulations to FOWPAL as it has endeavored to inculcate the concepts of “world peace and love” in the minds of all people of the world, especially their leaders, in order to achieve the purposes and objectives of the UN, and especially its Security Council, in the areas of international peace and security.  

H.E. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo stated in an interview after ringing the Bell that he believed that ringing the Bell is a part of his contribution to defend peace and love in the world. His Excellency believed that FOWPAL has done excellent work and congratulated Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze. 

In addition to H.E. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, three UN ambassadors rang the Bell and made their wishes for peace as well. H.E. Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, rang the Bell and stated, “We should all strive to build a more peaceful world for our children who can grow up without fear, hunger and insecurity. May all commit to a culture of peace.”  

H.E. Mr. Jaime Hermida Castillo, Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the UN, rang the Bell and shared, “The wish of the people of Nicaragua is to have peace and development, to eradicate poverty in the world , to respect and defend Mother Earth in order to live in harmony and love with all.” 

H.E. Mr. Sam Condor, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the UN, rang the Bell and remarked, "I pray for a peace that passeth all understanding, transcending to every corner of our world and yet I pray for my beloved country the assurance of continued grace and peace in spite of differences in time and space.”  

Another highlight of the event was the launch of a global endorsement campaign for the “Declaration of International Day of Conscience.” With the conviction that conscience is the wellspring of love and peace, FOWPAL has been advocating the importance of conscience for the promotion of peace. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze officially kicked off the endorsement campaign and set April 5th as International Day of Conscience. One click can change the world! All are encouraged to click on the following link to endorse the declaration to remind themselves and others to obey their conscience in everything they do so as to transform the world. 
http://www.fowpal.org/Endorse/doidoc_endorse/index.php