Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay placed Bhutan’s commitment to working with all member states in ensuring that the United Nations continues to play an instrumental role in fighting climate change, eradicating poverty, and maintaining global peace and security.
The Prime Minister delivered this at the General Debate of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) yesterday.
Lyonchhen reminded world leaders that climate change is a reality which makes the natural disasters worse. While calling for a global action, he reaffirmed Bhutan’s pledge to take actions against the change although being vulnerable to its effects as a landlocked country.
“There is no room for complacency, hesitation or finger pointing, excuses or procrastination. The urgency is now. Our wellbeing is at stake. The survival of future generation is at risk. I am optimistic that we will be able to prevent worst effects of climate change,” Prime Minister added. “But for that we must work together. While the threat of natural disasters will always remain, we can ensure that they are not directly linked to human-induced activity.”
On eradicating poverty, the Prime Minister said, although a lot needs to be done, Sustainable Development Goals are a realistic roadmap for the task. The very first goal of SDGs promises nothing less than to end poverty in all its forms everywhere.
“Poverty has no place in this day and age. After all this era- our era- is blessed with unprecedented wealth, knowledge and technology, giving rise to levels of prosperity the world has never seen before.”
As Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay called for observing a moment of silence to remember the victims of global terrorism, he said the world has no option but to strengthen the United Nations to fight the global threat.
“We recognize that global peace and security is a shared concern and responsibility. As a peaceful country, one that has enjoyed the benefits of UN membership for over four decades, it is now time for us to contribute to global peace, security, even if only modestly.”
The Prime Minister is leading the Bhutanese delegation at the 72nd session of the UN general assembly in New York, USA.
