TheCable

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations secretary general, on Tuesday asked for healthy living and unity among people “regardless of ethnicity, faith, age, gender identity or sexual orientation”.

Ki-moon, on the occasion of the second international day of yoga, said the exercise can help build a sustainable future.

“Practicing yoga can also help raise awareness of our role as consumers of the planet’s resources and as individuals with a duty to respect and live in peace with our neighbours,” he said.

“All these elements are essential to building a sustainable future of dignity and opportunity for all.”

The UN describes yoga as “an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India and is now practiced in various forms around the world”.

This year’s theme is dedicated to highlighting the important role healthy living plays in the realisation of the sustainable development goals adopted last year by all UN member states.

Ban Ki moon said yoga is beneficial as “physical inactivity is linked with a number of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of illness and death worldwide”.