Addressing the virtual General Debate at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly last night, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering requested the UN to reset both Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) format and developmental path for a smooth transition from the Least Developed Countries’ (LDC) category.
The Prime Minister shared that the pandemic has derailed both the efforts in achieving the SDG targets and LDC graduation track.
The Prime Minister shared Bhutan’s COVID-19 story highlighting that the country’s efforts have been successful in preventing widespread infection in the community without losing a single life to the virus so far under the wise leadership of His Majesty The King.
“In this pandemic, as His Majesty The King spearheads the battle to guard the country against the virus making sure all Bhutanese home and abroad are safe and their spirits uplifted, we have a meticulous surveillance system in place which include close monitoring of our international entry points and timely institution of 21-days quarantine which is mandatory for everyone entering the country and fully sponsored by the government and reliable and free testing facilities are also set up across the country. We have a professional Health Minister leading the team to execute every detail of the Royal guidance,” said Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering.
The Prime Minister shared Bhutan like rest of the world will be falling short on achieving the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals as all 17 SDGs are interconnected and that not a single sector will be spared by the consequences of the pandemic. Bhutan was set to be an early achiever of the SDGs as per the Voluntary review report presented to the UN in 2018.
“Most obvious ones are the goals of health, education, and economy. If individuals or agencies or even governments are realigning with the realities of COVID-19, shouldn’t we revisit the SDGs too? I feel it is time for a special team to work on a new framework of SDGs which should encapsulate all elements that will help us walk the path of new normal with more prudence,” Lyonchhen said.
The Prime Minister also added that the pandemic has derailed Bhutan of its LDC graduation track and solicited the support of the United Nations in regaining a grip on the smooth transition from the LDC category. Bhutan was set to graduate from the category of LDC by 2023.
“Our current plan was designed to help Bhutan graduate from the LDC category in 2023. Now, everything is changed. As our focus has shifted to saving lives and livelihood from the challenges posed by this pandemic. We know millions are pushed back into poverty, more have lost their jobs, we would have gone back the decades. Bringing our developmental achievements back on track will not be easy. And for some developing countries, it will almost be irreversible. Therefore, I would like to request the UN to reset these developmental paths and help us regain our grip on the smooth transition from the LDC category,” Lyonchhen added.
The Prime Minister also called on the international community to help the developing countries that are disproportionately affected by the pandemic, in accessing vaccines as it becomes available.
Phub Gyem
