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Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley is leaving the Kingdom tomorrow (February 4) to attend the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2010 being convened in the Indian capital from February 5 to 7. DSDS 2010 is touted as the first major gathering of leaders drawn from every part of the globe and from every sphere of human endeavour to focus on the new pathways that the world is expected to explore and move along as a consequence of the Copenhagen Conference of the Parties in December 2009. Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley will be among several world leaders who will deliver keynote addresses at the summit. Other notable speakers include former US President Bill Clinton, former Norwegian prime minister Dr. Gro Harlem Bruntland and, interestingly, the governor of California, Arnold Arnold Schwarnezenegger, who will speak through a satellite video link. Dasho paljor J Dorji, an advisor to the National Environment Commission, will chair Ministerial Session III – Building on the Copenhagen Accord. Bhutanese environmentalists will also be present at the summit. Organizers say the summit hosted at the Taj palace will be packed with great sessions, dynamic speakers from world over, and fabulous displays. Participants from corporates, governments, international agencies, and institutes will provide critical mass for formulation and delineation of strategies to take the sustainable development agenda forward. <! The sub-themes of the summit include building institutions for effective climate governance, from sustainable livelihoods to sustainable development, sustaining business in a climate-constrained world, financing opportunities post Copenhagen, role of emerging economies in fostering climate cooperation, and, in pursuit of sustainable development: ethics, equity, and social justice.
February 3, 2010
SDP activated, India hands over Nu 393.9 million to PM As part of assistance to RGoB’s 10th Five-Year Plan (FYP), the Government of India allocated Nu 700 crores for the SDPs in the key socio-economic areas, which are short gestation, community-oriented and impact lives of a wider crosssection of the society. The first lot of 441 projects worth Nu 131.3043 crores cover all the 20 districts of Bhutan in the areas of drinking water supply, health, education, construction of administrative offices and community hall, roads, bridges, culture, irrigation channels and Renewable Natural Resource (RNR) centres. These projects were identified in the first meeting of the Small Project Development Committee, comprising of members from the royal government and the Embassy of India, in Thimphu in November last year. The prime minister described the SDP as a very important form of support from the government of India to Bhutan. “It is a reflection of India’s special sensitivity and concern for the problem of poverty in Bhutan,” he said. “This money goes entirely to projects in the 205 gewogs and addresses the specific needs of the people at the grassroots.” The Prime Minister said the Bhutanese people, particularly in the rural areas, are eagerly waiting for the projects and would be most happy to hear the money has been released. Pointing out that SDP is “all important and pivotal”, the Indian ambassador said “the well-being of the people of Bhutan is also the well-being of India” and that all efforts will be made to expedite the clearance of further projects. The projects, joint cleared and approved by the two governments, were structured to prevent any delay and reflected the “nature and content of our collaboration”. According to the GNH secretary, Karma Chitem (Check spelling), the SDP is a new financing window introduced between Bhutan and India in the 10th plan. Of Nu 34 billion support committed by India in the 10th plan, Nu 20 billion is provided as project-tied assistance, Nu 7.00 billion as programmme grant and Nu 7.0 billion as SDP. “It will have a huge impact on poverty reduction and improving the lives of people living in the rural areas of Bhutan,” he said. “All the projects have originated from the local areas, from gewogs and dzongkhags, and reflect local priorities.”
July 22, 2009 Prime Minister attends the Inaugural Function of the Royal Education Council Two years after the establishment of the Royal Education Council, the governing body of the Royal Education Council was constituted in accordance with the requirement under Annexure III of the Royal Charter. The Inaugural Ceremony was held on 22 July 2009. The Members, distinguished individuals with considerable experience in policy formulation and selected for their wide knowledge and experience and their contributions in the field of education are: 1. Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Chairperson 2. Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel, Vice Chairperson 3. Dasho Kinley Dorji, Member 4. Mr. Tenzin Chhoeda, Member 5. Mrs. Chuki T.Wangchuk, Member 6. Professor Mark Mancall, Member 7. Mr. Michael Rutland In addition to the seven Members, two teachers representing the teaching community will serve as Observers on an annual rotational basis. This year the two teachers are Mrs. Sangay Lham of Yangchenphug High School and Ms Amina Gurung of Motithang High School. According to the Royal Charter of the Royal Education Council, “The Council shall be the apex governing body of the REC. The members of the Council shall have the necessary capability and authority to: Provide overall guidance and strategic direction for education reforms;Approve the annual budget and work plan of the RECApprove Human Resource Development and manpower plans of the REC; andMake decisions concerning the accounts and audits of the REC. The Council will hold its first meeting in early August. 21 July, 2009 Government of India contributes Nu.100 million for flood relief The Ambassador of India, H.E. Pavan K Verma called on the Hon’ble Prime Minister at the office of the Prime Minister on the morning of 21 July 2009 to hand over a cheque for Nu.100 million towards the cost of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damages caused by the recent floods. In thanking the Government of India, the Hon’ble Prime Minister said that the contribution reflected the sincere and genuine sympathy of the Government of India for Bhutan, and underscored the close ties of friendship and understanding between the two countries. He said that the funds would go a long way in ameliorating the damages suffered by Bhutan, and that the Royal Government would ensure that people are made aware of the GoI’s generous contribution. The Government of India had made the offer to the Hon’ble Prime Minister during his recent visit to Delhi to felicitate the UPA government after the general elections in India.H.E. Pavan K Verma said that the Government of India had been deeply concerned about the damages caused by the floods, and that the spontaneous gesture was a small token that was being made in the spirit of the special relationship that the two countries enjoy. He said that he was honoured to present the cheque to the Hon’ble Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of India and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Home Minister Lyonpo Minjur Dorji and the Dzongdas of the flood effected Dzongkhags were present on the occasion.July 15, 2009Hon’ble Prime Minister attends the closing day of the Golden Youth Camp as the Chief Guest. Hon’ble Prime Minister was the guest of honor at the Closing Ceremony of the Golden Youth Camp this evening at the Centenary Youth Village. He congratulated all the 72 participants and awarded certificates and trophies to the winners of events during the camp. In his keynote address, the Prime Minister highlighted various issues pertaining to the youth of Bhutan and the measures taken by the Royal Government to counter them. In this regard, he thanked the non-governmental organizations like the Youth Development Fund, RENEW, and Tarayana for their earnest efforts to address youth related issues. He stated that the youth representatives at the camp were student leaders and role models and had important roles play to benefit their schools and society at large. Just before the closing ceremony of the Golden Youth camp, Hon’ble Prime Minister Met with the members of the Happy Valley Youth Cooperative at the Youth Harmony Hall. Sangay Rinchen, the main founder of the cooperative submitted that they were deeply touched and inspired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister's State of the Nation Report which alluded to problems of youth in the country. He said that the purpose of the Happy Valley Youth Cooperative was to build a better image for the youth of Bhutan by trying to stand on their own feet and becoming responsible citizens. He pointed out that most of the members of the cooperative were unemployed youth from all parts of the country and from very humble family backgrounds. They intend to form different groups, each specializing in a distinctive but viable venture. Mr. Rinchen said that capacity building to carry out the various business enterprises would be a challenge. Hon’ble Prime Minister expressed his happiness that the youth are now coming forward with innovative and creative ideas to stand on their own feet. He said that the government will always be there to help those who try to fulfill their goals in keeping with the laws of the country and in keeping with the development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. He assured that the support from the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources would be forthcoming for capacity building and avail financial assistance meant for the NGOs to the group if they come up with viable and realistic project proposals. Hon’ble Prime Minister directed Mr. Rinzin Jamtsho and Ms. Kezang Choden to look into the draft constitution of the youth cooperative and to follow up with the relevant agencies of the Royal Government. |
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