Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Tandi Dorji is currently in Bangkok leading the Bhutanese delegation to the 75th Commission Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) from 27-31 May 2019.
Lyonpo yesterday, addressed the Ministerial segment on the theme “Empowering People and Ensuring inclusiveness and Equality” while highlighting the rapid economic growth of Asia and the Pacific region, Lyonpo drew attention to millions who continue to live in a state of deprivation from basic livelihood and the need for increased political commitment and greater national ownership on the journey towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Lyonpo also highlighted global issues such as climate change as challenges for small and vulnerable countries like Bhutan and particularly for Bhutan’s sustainable graduation from the category of Least Developed Countries (LDC). Lyonpo called for greater global attention and urgent action to address climate change.
On the sidelines of the Session, Lyonpo held bilateral meetings with Mr. Damdin Tsogtbaatar, Foreign Minister of Mongolia and Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary, UN-ESCAP. Lyonpo is also scheduled to meet the Foreign Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai today.
During the next four days of the Commission, the delegation will be participating in the senior officials segment of the Commission which will discuss on numerous agenda items such as that on ‘special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Pacific lsland Developing Countries’, ‘Review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ and others that have direct implications on the social and economic development of the Asia and the Pacific region.
