Ambassador of Bhutan to Kuwait H.E. Tshering Gyaltshen Penjor held a reception on the eve of the 110th Anniversary of his country’s National Day on Sunday, 17 December at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hind Sabeeh Barrak Al-Sabeeh was the chief guest along with the former Prime Minister of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In attendance at the gathering were members of the diplomatic corps, Kuwaiti officials, Bhutanese nationals, special invitees and media personnel.
In his speech on the occasion, Ambassador Penjor pointed out the development efforts made by his country to further progress and to provide benefits to its citizens. He affirmed, “Bhutan remains steadfast in its pursuit of sustainable development that has been built on four inter-related pillars of our development philosophy of Gross National Happiness.
“The first pillar of balanced socio-economic development has ensured that economic growth is clean, green and equitable, and that all citizens are provided free healthcare, and free education. Meanwhile, the second pillar of preservation of culture has ensured that we do not lose our traditional values and spiritual heritage that are dear to us even as we embrace globalization in an interdependent world.
“Our third pillar of conservation of our environment has ensured that a minimum of 60 percent of Bhutan’s total land will be maintained under forest cover. As a result, we have not only pledged to remain carbon neutral but are in fact a carbon negative country, with our forests sequestering three times more greenhouse gasses than what we emit.”
“The fourth pillar of good governance has ensured that government is transparent, accountable and decentralized. Under the initiative of His Majesty the Fourth King, Bhutan became a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy with the adoption of the Constitution in 2008. Since then, under the guidance of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, we have progressed steadily and are committed to build a democracy that is exemplary,” said the ambassador.
The Bhutanese Ambassador also highlighted the close ties shared between Kuwait and his country, and added, “Visits between our two countries at the highest political levels and the excellent cooperation in the bilateral as well as multilateral arena is a testimony to the special bond of goodwill and friendship that has been nurtured by our leaders and our governments over the years.”
Mentioning the various contributions that Kuwait has initiated in his country, he noted, “The generous support of the Kuwait Fund, which commenced its operations in Bhutan in 1983, laid the foundations for many of our industries that continue to serve our economy on a sustainable basis. We also remember with deep appreciation the timely support by Kuwait towards the rehabilitation efforts for damages caused by natural disasters that struck Bhutan in 2009.”
He concluded by saying, “It is an honor and privilege to serve as Ambassador of Bhutan to Kuwait and I look forward with confidence to further strengthening the enduring bonds of goodwill and friendship between our two countries and expanding the horizon of our development cooperation.”