Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade RGOB
H.E. Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay attended the World Government Summit (WGS) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 11-13 February 2017
H.E. Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay attended the WGS, which is an annual event held in Dubai since 2013 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. It serves as a global knowledge exchange program for government, business and civil society to serve humanity better and in more sustainable ways.
The 2017 Summit comprised of three forums to explore global researches in happiness and food security and Arab youths. Around 4000 delegates from around 140 countries and heads of international organizations participated in the event.
A Global Dialogue for Happiness (GDH) to discuss how happiness can be achieved in societies was held on 11 February as a prelude to the 2017 Summit. During the opening session titled “The Role of government in Achieving Happiness” Lyonchhen stated that if the basic purpose of development were changed from the pursuit of profit to the pursuit of well-being in all its dimensions, the true level of happiness on the planet would certainly go up. Lyonchhen added that Bhutan has been blessed with extraordinary and enlightened kings who have consistently made the happiness of the people their overarching priority.
Lyonchen participated as a panelist on the topic “What is the Impact of the Climate Change on Food Security” on 13 February. Lyonchen mentioned that food security is fundamental to achieving happiness and the climate change and its potential impact on food production would likely fall disproportionately on the world’s poor.
On the sidelines of the summit, Lyonchhen had a bilateral meeting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. Lyonchhen also had bilateral meetings with a number of UAE ministers, heads of international organizations and other dignitaries.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and The Air Service Agreement (ASA) between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the United Arab Emirates were signed on 13 February 2017 in the presence of Lyonchhen and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The MOU was signed by Dasho Kinzang Wangdi, Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat and H.E. Mohammad Abdullah Ai Gergawi, Ministry of Cabinet Affairs & Future. The ASA was signed by Dasho Karma Penjor, Secretary, MoIC and Mr. Saif Mohammad Al Suwaidi, Director General, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.
Diplomatic relation between Bhutan and UAE was established in 2013. The first visit by the Prime Minister of Bhutan to UAE will greatly contribute towards strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.