Global Celebration of Eastern Tea Culture to Take Place Annually on May 21
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and celebrate International Tea Day, the World Development Foundation (WDF) announced that starting May 21, 2026, a Permanent Organizing Committee for the International Tea Culture Festival will be officially established at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Over the next decade, the Festival will be held annually at the UN, using tea as a cultural bridge to promote the Eastern values of peace, sustainability, and inclusiveness.
Under the organizing plan, starting in 2026, a dedicated exhibition area for the International Tea Culture Festival will be set up on the first floor of the UN Headquarters on May 21, lasting for ten days. The program will feature a series of exhibitions and cultural exchange events, including international tea culture performances, a World Leaders’ Tea Gathering, academic forums, and award ceremonies. Official information about the Organizing Committee and related festival activities will be released through the United Nations’ official website.
The Committee is jointly initiated by diplomatic missions, UN officials, and international cultural organizations. The Permanent Representative of Suriname to the United Nations will serve as Honorary Chair, while Ambassador McDonald (former Vice President of the UN General Assembly), Mr. Bruce(former Chair of the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations), Dr. Xiangang Guo (Chairman of the World Development Foundation), and Ms. Lily Bao, known internationally as “Tea Fairy”, will serve as co-chairs. The Committee’s Secretariat will be based in New York, directed by Professor Lawrence Neuman of Columbia University, who will oversee operations and coordination.
To encourage youth engagement and intercultural participation, the Festival will recruit volunteers from Columbia University, New York University, and WDF’s international internship program to assist with event management, communications, and cultural liaison work.
On May 21, 2026, the Festival will present a series of themed events under “Tea and Peace — Sharing the Eastern Fragrance of Tea”, including:
• World Leaders’ Tea Gathering: Ambassadors and heads of state from around the world will be invited to taste and appreciate 50 distinguished teas representing diverse tea traditions across continents.• Heritage Arts and Contemporary Fusion Performance: Featuring five to six Chinese ethnic minority costumes and traditional tea rituals, combined with modern tea arts, floral design, and incense ceremony.• UN University for Peace Academic Forum: The university’s President and Academic Dean will discuss the role of tea culture in sustainable development education and global citizenship.•Global Intangible Tea Heritage Awards Ceremony: Supported and recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, and the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC).
During the UN’s 80th Anniversary celebrations, Ms. Lily Bao (Tea Fairy) received the World Harmony Distinguished Contribution Award for her outstanding achievements in advancing global tea diplomacy and intercultural exchange. She also held cordial discussions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the General Assembly, and was invited to attend a UN Security Council session as an honored guest.
Over the next decade, the International Tea Culture Festival will serve as a permanent cultural initiative at the United Nations, supported by WDF development funds, regional government partnerships, and heritage foundations. Through tea — a universal language of harmony — the Festival will continue to advance civilizational dialogue, international cooperation, and sustainable development.
From May 21, 2026 onward, the world will meet each year at the United Nations Headquarters — to share a cup of tea, and to celebrate cultural harmony through the Eastern fragrance of tea.
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