The UN Resident Coordinator, Gerald Daly reaffirmed the unwavering support of the United Nations to Bhutan in achieving its development goals and objectives in the years ahead as the UN day was observed yesterday in Thimphu.
“As the UN team in Bhutan, in collaboration with GNHC, prepares the next UN framework of support, we will ensure that our strategic priorities are aligned with the 12th Five Year Plan priorities,” he said.
The UN Resident Coordinator was speaking at the butter lamp lighting ceremony held yesterday to mark the day. This year marks the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. A thousand butter lamps were lit at the Kuenray of the Tashichhodzong to observe the day.
The butter lamp lighting ceremony was led by home and cultural affairs minister Dawa Gyeltshen. The event was attended by parliamentarians, senior government officials, former ambassadors of Bhutan to the UN, representatives and officials of the UN and its specialized agencies and members of diplomatic community based in Thimphu.
Speaking at the event, Lyonpo Dawa Gyeltshen emphasized the contributions made by the United Nations towards the socio-economic development of Bhutan. Lyonpo expressed the Bhutanese government’s appreciation to the UN and its agencies for their support and cooperation in advancing the partnership.
He reaffirmed Bhutan’s commitment to working with the member states to ensure that the UN continues to play an instrumental role in fighting climate change, eradicating poverty and maintaining global peace and security. The minister also highlighted Bhutan’s contribution to peacekeeping since 2014.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Gerald Daly, acknowledged UN’s successful partnership with Bhutan over the last 46 years, during which Bhutan has made remarkable socio-economic progress.
He added that Bhutan’s development philosophy of GNH and prudent economic management and political stability have brought about significant rise in the living standards and improvement in development ranking, which he described as a testimony of commitment and hard work.
The United Nations was founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 member states. Bhutan became its member on 21 September, 1971.
