Healthy འབྲུག་ཡུལ། - A PMO, Bhutan initiative

23/09/2023

01/07/2023

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering met His Excellency Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under Secretary General for Peace Operations this morning.

The prime minister welcomed the Under Secretary General and thanked him for trusting Bhutan in deployment of our peacekeepers. The prime minister shared His Majesty The King's aspirations for global peace and the commitment to offer efficient peacekeeping contingents.

The Under Secretary General acknowledged Bhutan’s commitment in UN Peacekeeping and applauded the standards of Bhutan’s contingent in Central African Republic. He said that the level of preparedness was strong and reflected Bhutan efforts.

The prime minister said that Bhutan wants to give our best and that while we cannot offer a large contingent, we will assure quality of the peacekeepers and leverage on latest technology and green energy in our camps. He also assured zero tolerance to disciplinary misconduct.

This is first ever visit by the UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations and coincides with the 75th Anniversary of UN Peacekeeping.

28/06/2023

༄། སྤྲེལ་ཟླའི་ཚེས་བཅུར་དྷ་ན་ཀོ་ཤའི་མཚོར། །
ངོ་མཚར་རང་བྱུང་པདྨའི་སྙིང་པོར་འཁྲུངས། །
མཚོ་གླིང་མཁའ་འགྲོ་རྣམས་ལ་ཆོས་འཁོར་བསྐོར། །
གུ་རུ་མཚོ་སྐྱེས་རྡོ་རྗེར་གསོལ་བ་འདེབས། །

20/06/2023

Picking up effortlessly from where it was left during the side talk at the LDC conference in Doha, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, HE Mr Alexander Schallenberg met again in Vienna today.

Besides catching up on the global and regional issues, they also updated each other on developments and programs in various sectors.

Prime Minister thanked Austria for all the assistance so far and expressed excitement of new strategies and partnerships with Bhutan's graduation from LDC category.

The federal minister offered to collaborate in the priority areas of Bhutan. Among others, they agreed to initiate business to business links for private sector development in Bhutan. The two sides also reinforced their intentions to work together in more specific sectors of solar, hydro and waste management.

20/06/2023

On the sidelines of the OPEC Fund Development Forum in Vienna, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering met the finance minister of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mohammed Al-Jadaan.

He also met the heads and representatives of the Saudi Fund and Kuwait Fund for development in separate meetings.

Exchanging warm greetings, the prime minister highlighted the trust and friendship the countries enjoyed, thanks to the leadership and lasting goodwill cultivated by the Monarchs of the three countries.

He said we are not here to spell out specific wants and needs but to invite them to Bhutan, to get to know us and forge lasting friendships built on trust.

“With the ground so fertile, rest will progress naturally,” prime minister said.

The meetings took place on an amicable note, trying to understand each other, sharing ideas and proposals to work together.

He thanked them for all the support and goodwill Bhutan received so far and reiterated the expectations to take the relationship to a new level as Bhutan transited from LDC category later this year.

Among others, green initiatives, tourism and loan and technical collaborations were discussed.

19/06/2023

Ahead of the OPEC Fund Development Forum and in the first of the series of bilateral meetings scheduled for Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering in Vienna, he met the Asian Development Bank team led by the Director General of Private Sector Operations Department Ms Suzanne Gaboury.

While continuing to work closely with the country office, this is the first of an interaction with the Private Sector Operations Department of the ADB.

Acknowledging ADB’s support to Bhutan so far, the prime minister highlighted the challenges of private sector, and proposed for ADB’s assistance to introduce good practices to handhold and nurture innovative ideas in Bhutan.

The prime minister invited an ADB team to Bhutan for a focused approach on private sector growth. He said that private sector is the key to building a resilient economy, and the government will readily support any policy interventions.

Of the range of topics discussed, on environmental conservation, the prime minister shared concerns on human-wildlife conflict becoming an increasing practical challenge for our farmers, despite multiple and concerted interventions.

Environment, tourism, hydro and solar energy were also some of common areas of interests discussed.

The ADB team committed their support and reinforcement to the regional and country teams.

Accompanying the prime minister are the Ambassador of Bhutan to Geneva, Druk Green Power Corporation Managing director, and Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan officials. Prime minister will speak at the OPEC Developmental Forum tomorrow.

19/06/2023

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞
𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

Travelling over the weekend, Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering arrived in Vienna, Austria, yesterday to attend the OPEC Fund for International Development Forum scheduled on June 20.

Prime minister will speak as the “special guest” at the one-day forum, sharing Bhutan’s stories, the challenges and opportunities, and our role in the global journey. The prime minister will also interact with the heads and representatives of the government and financial institutions alongside.

The invitation comes after the prime minister’s meeting with OPEC at the side event of conference in Doha in March this year. The two sides had agreed to work together in the green energy sector.

With an overarching theme of “Driving Resilience and Equity”, the forum will also see top executives and representatives of multilateral developmental banks and institutions delve into topics ranging from evolving development finance landscape, climate innovation to transformative development model, among others.

15/06/2023

The ambassadors of Czech Republic, Vietnam, Türkiye, Belgium, Nepal and Maldives called on Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering.

The discussions reaffirmed the long standing friendships between Bhutan and the countries, while conveying strategies to venture into newer areas of cooperation ranging from trade, technology, tourism, IT, renewable energy to knowledge exchange, among others.

The prime minister updated the ambassadors on the ongoing reforms in the country and the renewed emphasis on education, ICT, public service delivery and economy.

The ambassadors expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to receive audience from His Majesty The King and for warm welcome in Bhutan. They committed to focus on newer priorities and further strengthen people to people ties.

The ambassadors presented their credentials to His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck yesterday.

08/06/2023

8 June, 2023:

His Majesty The King graced the opening ceremony of the 9th Session of the Third Parliament.

Members of The Royal Family, and senior government officials and other dignitaries attended the ceremony. The ceremony was also attended by a delegation from the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, led by the Speaker, Hon. Michelle Roberts.

Later in the day, His Majesty granted an Audience to the delegation.

His Majesty The King also granted an Audience today to the chairpersons of various religious organizations who are attending an annual meeting of religious organizations in Thimphu.

The 3-Day Meeting of the Choeday Thrizin (Chairpersons of Religious Organizations), which aims to promote social cohesion and harmony through the engagement of religious organizations with the community, began yesterday with 119 participants.

04/06/2023

The summer radiance around us today is evident of another significant milestone we are celebrating. And by design for those who are extraordinary, the day is in tune with the auspicious Duechen Ngazom.

Therefore, as we remember the Buddha and his enlightened activities, may all the prayers converge for Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen’s good health and longevity on this auspicious day.

We remain in complete awareness of Her Majesty’s presence in our lives, ever grateful for the streaming rays of inspiration we receive. In the grace, warmth and wisdom, Her Majesty is the ultimate balance to the nation under the glorious leadership of His Majesty The King.

Our gratitude and pride are boundless while witnessing all forms of Her Majesty- the wife, mother, daughter and every manifestation of an extraordinary being.

From our heart, we thank Her Majesty for the leadership, touching countless lives alongside His Majesty. We remain grateful for the tireless efforts towards shielding the vulnerable groups in the communities, the commitment for promoting mental health, and the boost in the environmental conservation.

But above all, we thank Her Majesty for infusing the ideals and wishes that are critical ingredients for a nation in transition. We derive strength and motivation from Their Majesties and together with the Royal Princes, the Gyalseys, we have found hope.

May we see the blessed light of today shine brighter with each progressing year.

With humble prayers,
Dr Lotay Tshering

The summer radiance around us today is evident of another significant milestone we are celebrating. And by design for those who are extraordinary, the day is in tune with the auspicious Duechen Ngazom.

Therefore, as we remember the Buddha and his enlightened activities, may all the prayers converge for Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen’s good health and longevity on this auspicious day.

We remain in complete awareness of Her Majesty’s presence in our lives, ever grateful for the streaming rays of inspiration we receive. In the grace, warmth and wisdom, Her Majesty is the ultimate balance to the nation under the glorious leadership of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Our gratitude and pride are boundless while witnessing all forms of Her Majesty- the wife, mother, daughter and every manifestation of an extraordinary being.

From our heart, we thank Her Majesty for the leadership, touching countless lives alongside His Majesty. We remain grateful for the tireless efforts towards shielding the vulnerable groups in the communities, the commitment for promoting mental health, and the boost in the environmental conservation.

But above all, we thank Her Majesty for infusing the ideals and wishes that are critical ingredients for a nation in transition. We derive strength and motivation from Their Majesties and together with the Royal Princes, the Gyalseys, we have found hope.

May we see the blessed light of today shine brighter with each progressing year.

With humble prayers,
Dr Lotay Tshering

Jetsun Pema

02/06/2023

Bhutan has always been blessed with right leaders at the right time. And today, we celebrate one such moment from almost 50 years ago.

His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo helmed the nation on this day to craft a Bhutan of modern progression and reforms. From the dynamism of a teenager to the wisdom of a noble being, we delighted in the glorious reign of the great monarch, the relentless captain, who led a steady sail despite all odds and challenges.

History will note that there was no easy way about it. Therefore, as I join the nation in celebrating the Coronation Day of the His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo with so much respect and gratitude, I seek to imbibe all the inspirations the day has to offer.

Moving forward from where it was safely anchored, Bhutan relishes in the legacy that continues in His Majesty The King. We have once again wielded our intentions to secure the greater national interests through change and reforms in the firm embrace of His Majesty.

This time too, as we take giant leaps forward, we must rise above the trials like our forefathers did. No matter where we live or what we do, we have opportunities to add colours to the canvas His Majesty has unfurled for the present and future Bhutanese. I say this because our Kings have never let us down, and days such as today bear witness to the fact.

Thus, on this auspicious occasion, we reflect on our strengths as a Bhutanese. We cherish our collective spirits and hopes. Today, we once again embrace the Bhutanese character to accept a bit of sacrifices for the greater good of the nation.

May we, the people of Bhutan, seek blessings and offer prayers of longevity and good health to His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo!

Humbly
Dr Lotay Tshering

Bhutan has always been blessed with right leaders at the right time. And today, we celebrate one such moment from almost 50 years ago.

His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo helmed the nation on this day to craft a Bhutan of modern progression and reforms. From the dynamism of a teenager to the wisdom of a noble being, we delighted in the glorious reign of the great monarch, the relentless captain, who led a steady sail despite all odds and challenges.

History will note that there was no easy way about it. Therefore, as I join the nation in celebrating the Coronation Day of the His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo with so much respect and gratitude, I seek to imbibe all the inspirations the day has to offer.

Moving forward from where it was safely anchored, Bhutan relishes in the legacy that continues in His Majesty The King. We have once again wielded our intentions to secure the greater national interests through change and reforms in the firm embrace of His Majesty.

This time too, as we take giant leaps forward, we must rise above the trials like our forefathers did. No matter where we live or what we do, we have opportunities to add colours to the canvas His Majesty has unfurled for the present and future Bhutanese. I say this because our Kings have never let us down, and days such as today bear witness to the fact.

Thus, on this auspicious occasion, we reflect on our strengths as a Bhutanese. We cherish our collective spirits and hopes. Today, we once again embrace the Bhutanese character to accept a bit of sacrifices for the greater good of the nation.

May we, the people of Bhutan, seek blessings and offer prayers of longevity and good health to His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo!

Humbly
Dr Lotay Tshering

Photo: Yellow

18/05/2023

Upon arrival in Thimphu from Tsirang, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering met His Excellency Mr Simon Wong Wie Kuen, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to Bhutan this evening.

Submitting updates from his last visit to Bhutan in 2022, the ambassador shared that cooperations between our two countries have been progressing. He informed that the virtual Signing of MoU on Carbon Credit Collaborations was conducted this morning.

Similarly, an MoU on Aircraft Accident and Serious Incident Investigation and deed signing on Asian Nursing Scholarship will be held tomorrow.

The prime minister said that Bhutan is going through a special phase of major reform and, lessons from Singapore on ideas, technology and assessment would augment our growth.

The ambassador reiterated their interest to keep supporting and working with Bhutan.

Formal diplomatic relation between Bhutan and the Republic of Singapore was established in September 20, 2002.

Upon arrival in Thimphu from Tsirang, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering met His Excellency Mr Simon Wong Wie Kuen, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to Bhutan this evening.

Submitting updates from his last visit to Bhutan in 2022, the ambassador shared that cooperations between our two countries have been progressing. He informed that the virtual Signing of MoU on Carbon Credit Collaborations was conducted this morning.

Similarly, an MoU on Aircraft Accident and Serious Incident Investigation and deed signing on Asian Nursing Scholarship will be held tomorrow.

The prime minister said that Bhutan is going through a special phase of major reform and, lessons from Singapore on ideas, technology and assessment would augment our growth.

The ambassador reiterated their interest to keep supporting and working with Bhutan.

Formal diplomatic relation between Bhutan and the Republic of Singapore was established in September 20, 2002.

High Commission of India in Singapore

18/05/2023

With prayers for the light of love, peace and prosperity to shine on every Bhutanese, and Bhutan, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, attended the Ram Katha puran in Tsirang earlier today.

The prime minister was accompanied by the Dzongda, Lam Neten and Dzongkhag officials. In what is the first of such size and significance in Tsirang, the puran started on May 10 and concludes today.

15/05/2023

Greeted by warmth and sense of familiarity, as though it weren’t the first meeting, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering met His Excellency Mr Tim Watts, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia today.

The two countries share many colourful chapters from the first Bhutanese students admitting to Australian schools in 1960s to establishing diplomatic ties 20 years ago, to setting up of Bhutanese embassy in Canberra to recent buzz of Australia remaining the preferred destination for most Bhutanese.

“It is a matter of pride, and we are grateful that your system has taken in and given opportunity to many of our young minds,” prime minister said.

“It is impressive to note Bhutan’s graduation in the face of COVID-19 and economic challenges,” the assistant minister said, reiterating that his visit was a reflection of Australia’s commitment to Bhutan, and the region, in the ever-evolving geopolitical context.

Sharing understandings on international developments, climate change and Bhutan’s reform processes, the way forward is intelligibly on strengthened cooperation and renewed determination.

Education and vocational training, solar and hydro projects were some of the areas highlighted.

Greeted by warmth and sense of familiarity, as though it weren’t the first meeting, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering met His Excellency Mr Tim Watts MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia today.

The two countries share many colourful chapters from the first Bhutanese students admitting to Australian schools in 1960s to establishing diplomatic ties 20 years ago, to setting up of Bhutanese embassy in Canberra to recent buzz of Australia remaining the preferred destination for most Bhutanese.

“It is a matter of pride, and we are grateful that your system has taken in and given opportunity to many of our young minds,” prime minister said.

“It is impressive to note Bhutan’s graduation in the face of COVID-19 and economic challenges,” the assistant minister said, reiterating that his visit was a reflection of Australia’s commitment to Bhutan, and the region, in the ever-evolving geopolitical context.

Sharing understandings on international developments, climate change and Bhutan’s reform processes, the way forward is intelligibly on strengthened cooperation and renewed determination.

Education and vocational training, solar and hydro projects were some of the areas highlighted.

Australia in India

03/05/2023

𝐀𝐌 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐌: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬…

Dear friends,

You might recall that in casting our nation on the path of progression as a shared responsibility, with hearts open and ears as keen, I embraced an all-encompassing approach since the beginning to bring everyone on-board.

One such was 𝐀𝐌 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐌, an honest dialogue initiated during the pre-pandemic.

Over a hundred of interactions with individuals, groups and organisations, we touched on myriads of issues. We could comprehend as well as find common solutions within our means and abilities. Big or small, it compounded to making headway in all our earnest efforts.

We still uphold communication as vital means to a substantial end. Just last month, we launched a FAQ series in which we took questions and responded in writing to the recurrent queries. Interaction with media, social media updates, and in person acknowledgements are our daily dealings.

It has become even more critical today, as assumptions, confusions and uncertainties breed on the ground of change the nation is seeking. As the head of the government, it is my responsibility to elucidate the doubts and empower all with the information we have.

Therefore, while amplifying through other channels, I would also like to resume the AM with PM for those who seek one. Let us keep the dialogue on!

Dr Lotay Tshering

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Prime minister visits the groups, offices and organisations that seek to meet. Virtual meetings will be arranged for interested groups who are stationed beyond physical reach.

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: The meets are held between 8am and 9.30am during weekdays. Offices should not arrange special reception and refreshments during the session.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭: 𝘱𝘮𝘰@𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘵.𝘨𝘰𝘷.𝘣𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 02-332388

30/04/2023

30 April 2023:

His Majesty The King offered prayers at the sacred Machen Lhakhang of the Punakha Dzong on Zhabdrung Kuchoe today.

On the auspicious occasion, His Majesty granted a Royal Charter for the establishment of Gerab Nyed-Yon, an autonomous entity to hold and manage the assets and investments of the Zhung Dratshang.

His Majesty also granted dhar to appoint Trongsa and Gasa Dzongda. Wangdi Gyeltshen, who was serving as the Director of Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, was appointed the Trongsa Dzongda, and Jigme Namgyel, who was serving as the Director of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at JDWNRH is the new Gasa Dzongda.

His Majesty granted red scarf to Tashi Dorji, the 3rd Chairperson of the National Council.

29/04/2023

སྲིད་ཞིའི་ཕུན་ཚོགས་ཀུན་ལ་དབང་བསྒྱུར་ཏེ།།
སྲིད་རྩེར་བསྙེམས་པ་ཡོངས་ཀྱི་ཁེངས་འཕྲོག་ཅིང་།།
སྲིད་པ་སྨན་ལྗོངས་བརྩེ་བའི་ཕྱག་གིས་བསྐྱངས།།
སྲིད་ན་དྲིན་ཅན་ཁྱེད་ཀྱི་འདས་མཆོད་བསུ།།

སྔོན་ཚོགས་དུ་མ་བསྲུབས་པའི་ཉེར་ལེན་དང་།།
ལུང་གི་ཉིན་མོར་བྱེད་པའི་འོད་སྟོང་གིས།།
སྨན་ལྗོངས་ཞིང་གི་དམ་པའི་དམ་པ་ཁྱེད།།
ཞི་བར་གཟིམས་པའི་ཉིན་མོ་དད་པས་བསུ།།

22/04/2023

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐄𝐙 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.

The Royal Government of Bhutan would like to remind the public to be vigilant against scams containing false information designed to promote or advertise investments in Bhutan.

The Royal Government of Bhutan has been alerted to a video purportedly with information about an SEZ. These materials falsely portray the existence of a partnership between the Royal Government of Bhutan and “Druk Yung Drung Investment and Innovation Zone Pvt Ltd” and/or “Yung Drung Inc.” (the “Companies”), and their associates.

The Royal Government of Bhutan does not endorse and has no formal association or legal relationship with the Companies or with Mr. Dane George Finch aka “Art” Finch or any of their associates, including but not limited to Mr Andrew Hammond, Mr Khando Chukchey Wangdi and partners.

The Royal Government of Bhutan is also aware of spurious and misleading materials advertising “The Inaugural Bhutan Innovation & Investment Summit 2023”, which falsely claims to be under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering. The Prime Minister does not patronise, endorse or promote events of this nature and will not be participating in the purported event. The Royal Government of Bhutan advises the general public to exercise due caution when participating in investment seminars.

The Royal Government of Bhutan is committed to protect the public from fraudulent activities and false and misleading representation. We are further investigating the Companies and their associates. We urge anyone who suspects that they have been a victim of any fraud or attempted fraud to report the matter.

Anyone with such related information on this particular scam or others may submit information to ag@oag.gov.bt . All information will be kept strictly confidential.