Bhutan & the World
BHUTAN AND THE WORLD
Foreign Policy
Bhutan strives to promote good will and cooperation with nations, foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in order to promote international peace and security. The country also continues to develop and maintain friendly relations with all countries in the region and beyond and plays an active role as a responsible member of the international community.
The foreign policy of Bhutan is based on the principles of peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations. The fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck describes the country’s policy as being three-fold:
‘Firstly, we are committed politically to a strong and loyal sense of nationhood, to ensuring peace and security of our citizens and the sovereign territorial integrity of our land. Secondly, to achieve economic self-reliance and the capacity to begin and complete any project we undertake, and thirdly to preserve the ancient religions and cultural heritage that has for so many centuries strengthened and enriched our lives.’
The objectives of Bhutan’s foreign policy is therefore to enhance and maintain national security; promote world peace and security by engaging in meaningful dialogue with the international community; promote and contribute towards international understanding and cooperation as well as international peace and security on the basis of peaceful co-existence ; develop and expand mutually beneficial bilateral, regional and multilateral economic and trade cooperation and contribute towards the development of a dynamic and a sustainable economy through mobilization of external resources.
The overall foreign policy objectives have been fulfilled by keeping Bhutan’s friends and development partners regularly informed of the developments in the country through the country’s diplomatic missions and embassies. The government also promotes visits at various levels, organizes international seminars, conferences, cultural and religious exhibitions on Bhutan, and actively participates in bilateral and multilateral meetings, including at the summit levels.
Foreign Relations
Following a period of self-imposed isolation, Bhutan opened its doors to the outside world by joining the universal Postal Union in 1961 and became a member of the United Nations in 1971. Bhutan fully subscribes to the charter of the United Nations and accordingly has continued to play a committed role in all international affairs. Since 1970s, Bhutan international relations have increased both in scope and content. Bhutan has diplomatic relations with 22 countries which include:
India: 1968, Bangladesh: 1973, Kuwait: 1983, Nepal: 1983, Maldives: 1984, Denmark: 1985, European Union: 1985,
Netherlands: 1985, Norway: 1985, Sweden: 1985, Switzerland: 1985, Finland: 1986, Japan: 1986, Republic of Korea: 1987,
Sir Lanka: 1987, Pakistan: 1988, Thailand: 1989, Austria: 1989, Bahrain: 1992, Australia: 2002, Singapore: 2002, Canada: 2003
The main objective of Bhutan’s establishment of diplomatic relations with other countries is to maintain close and friendly relations with all countries, particularly its neighbours. The cooperation that develops from these links has resulted in financial and technical support for the kingdom’s development. Bhutan maintains diplomatic missions in New Delhi, Dhaka, Kuwait and Bangkok and Permanent Missions to the United Nations at New York and Geneva.
The Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Bhutan are accredited to other countries as follows:
1. Ambassador in Dhaka:
Maldives, Pakistan, South Korea and Sri Lanka
2. Ambassador in Delhi: Nepal and Japan
3. Ambassador in Geneva: Austria, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European Union
4. Ambassador in Bangkok: Singapore and Australia
5. Ambassador in Kuwait: Bahrain
6. Ambassador in New York: Canada
Bhutan and the United Nations
Bhutan was admitted as a member of the United Nations on 21st September 1971. This reaffirmed its status as a sovereign, independent country and laid the foundations for cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies.
For Bhutan, the UN is extremely important both politically as well as economically. Politically, as an organization based on the principle of sovereign equality of its members, it provides a forum in which Bhutan can express its views and concerns on a wide range of issues on the international agenda. Economically the UN and its specialized agencies are an important source of financial and technical assistance for socio-economic development in Bhutan. Assistance from the UN and its specialized agencies has played a vital role in the process of modernization in Bhutan since 1973. Bhutan’s Permanent Missions to the UN in New York and Geneva are the channels through which Bhutan’s foreign policy objectives vis-à-vis the UN and it subsidiary bodies and specialized agencies are implemented.
Over the years, Bhutan’s status as an active and responsible member of the UN has gained prominence through its involvement in the numerous bodies of the UN. Bhutan has served on many important posts such as the Vice President of the UN General Assembly (New York), President of the Trade and Development Board, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD, Geneva), three terms as member of the UN Commission on Human Rights (Geneva), two terms as member of the Economic and Social Council ( ECO-SOC, 1993-1995 and 2002-2004), executive Board of UNICEF and WHO, Chairman of the Third Committee during the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the UN (New York, 1995).
UNITED NATIONS AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ADMISSION
| 1) Universal Postal Union (UPU) 1969 |
| 2) United Nations Capacity Development Fund (UNCDF) 1970 |
| 3) United Nations 1971 |
| 4) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD) 1971 |
| 5) United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) 1971 |
| 6) Group of 77 1971 |
| 7) United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Asia & the Pacific (ESCAP) 1972 |
| 8) United Nation Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF) 1974 |
| 9) World Food Programme (WFP) 1976 |
| 10) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 1978 |
| 11) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 1979 |
| 12) Asia Reinsurance Corporation (ARC) 1979 |
| 13) International Monetary Fund (IMF) 1981 |
| 14) World Bank 1981 |
| 15) International Development Association(IDA) 1981 |
| 16) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 1981 |
| 17) World Health Organization (WHO) 1982 |
| 18) South East Asia Regional Organization of WHO (SEARO) 1982 |
| 19) United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 1982 |
| 20) United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 1983 |
| 21) Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPUO) 1983 |
| 22) Trade and Development Board of UNCTAD 1985 |
| 23) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 1988 |
| 24) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 1989 |
| 25) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 1994 |
| 26) UN- World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO) 2003 |
Bhutan is a member of the following International Organizations
| OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ADMISSION |
| 1) Colombo Plan 1962 |
| 2) Non-Aligned Movement 1973 |
| 3) South Asia Co-operation Environment Programme (SACEP) 1982 |
| 4) Asia Development Bank 1982 |
| 5) World Fellowship of Buddhists 1984 |
| 6) South Asia Association for Regional Corporation (SAARC) 1985 |
| 7) International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) 1985 |
| 8) International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) 1987 |
| 9) Association of Development Financing Institutions In Asia and the Pacific 1988 |
| 10) Office International Des Epizooties (OIE) 1990 |
| 11) Asia Institute of Transport Development 1991 |
| 12) International Telecommunications Organization (INTELSAT) 1992 |
| 13) International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) 1994 |
| 14) Global Environmental Facility (GEF) 1995 |
| 15) Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) 1996 |
| 16) Asia Broadcasting Union (ABU) 1997 |
| 17) Constitution of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) 1998 |
| 18) Animal Production and Health Commission Asia and the Pacific (APHCA) ( applied for membership 2000 |
| 19) Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development 2000 |
| 20) Asia Clearing Union 2000 |
| 21) Asia Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) 2000 |
| 22) Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia (REAAA) 2002 |
| 23) World Road Association (PIARC) 2002 |
| 24) World Customs Organization 2002 |
| 25) International Finance Corporation 2003 |
| 26) World Meteorological Organization 2003 |
| 27) Regional Intelligence Liaison Officer (RILO) for Asia & Pacific Region 2003 |
| 28) Asia Pacific Education &Training Institute in Tourism (APETIT) 2004 |
| 29) BIMST-EC 2004 |
| 30) Association of Government Accounts Organization of Asia (AGAOA) 2004 |
| 31) Asia Cooperation Dialogue 2005 |
| 32) International Standardization Organization (ISO)(Correspondent member) 2005 |
| 33) Asia Pacific Rural & Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA) 2005 |
| 34) International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) 2005 |
| 35) Global Tiger Forum 2005 |
| 36) South Asia Forum for Infrastructure Regulation (SAFIR) 2006 |
| 37) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) ACP 2006 |
| 38) Asia Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) 2007 |
Bhutan is the member of the following International Sports Organizations
| INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS ADMISSION |
| 1) International Olympic Committee 1983 |
| 2) Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) 1983 |
| 3) South Asia Sports Federation (SASF) 1983 |
| 4) International Amateur and Asian Amateur Athletic Federation 1983 |
| 5) International Archery Federation and Asia Archery 1983 |
| 6) International Boxing Federation and Asia Boxing Federation 1983 |
| 7) International Basketball Federation and Asia Basketball 1983 |
| 8) International T.T. Federation and Asia T.T Federation 1983 |
| 9) International Volleyball Federation and Asian Volleyball Federation 1983 |
| 10) International Tennis Federation and Asian Tennis Federation 1985 |
| 11) World Taekwondo Federation and Asia Taekwondo Union 1985 |
| 12) Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) 1988 |
| 13) FESPIC Games Federation 1988 |
| 14) University Games Federation (FISU) 1988 |
| 15) Asia Pacific & Oceana Sports Assembly (APOSA) 1990 |
| 16) International Badminton Federation and Asia Badminton Federation 1997 |
| 17) Asia Golf Union 1998 |
| 18) International Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation 2000 |
| 19) International Cricket Control Board 2001 |
| 20) Asian Cricket Control Board 2002 |
| 21) International Shooting Sports Federation and Asian Shooting Sports Federation 2002 |
Bhutan and SAARC
On December 8, 1985 in Dhaka, Bhutan joined its South Asian neighbours Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to establish the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with the formal adoption of its charter. The Kingdom attaches great importance to SAARC and since its inception has firmly supported and promoted its activities and worked towards making South Asian Region self reliant. Consistent with its policy of developing friendly relations with all neighboring countries, SAARC provides a useful platform for Bhutan to enhance cooperation in various at the regional and sub-regional levels. In this respect, it has complemented Bhutan’s bilateral and multilateral relations with the member states of SAARC. The SAARC Forestry Centre has been established in Thimphu.
Bhutan and Bimstec
Bhutan was formally admitted as a member BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation) on 8 February, 2004. The First BIMSTEC Summit (Bangkok, 30-31 July 2004) decided to rename the group as BIMSTEC (the bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation). BIMSTEC provides Bhutan with a platform to interact and engage in meaningful cooperation with other sovereign nations. Bhutan’s membership in BIMSTEC facilitates its efforts to gradually integrate the country’s economy with regional as well as global markets and closer economic cooperation with South Asian and South East Asian neighbors. Out of 13 areas of cooperation, Bhutan is the lead country for culture.
Bhutan and Asian Cooperation Dialogue
Bhutan became a member of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in April, 2005. The ACD is a continent wide forum, the first of its kind in Asia, which was first inaugurated in June 2002. It aims to constitute the missing link in Asia by incorporating every Asian country and building an Asian community without duplicating other organizations or creating a bloc against others. A key principle is to consolidate Asian Strengths and fortify Asia’s competitiveness by maximizing on the diversity and rich resources evident in Asia. Currently the ACD comprises 30 countries: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
BHUTAN AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION PARTNERS BASED IN THE KINGDOM
AUSTRIA
Austrian Coordination Office for Development Cooperation (ACO)
The primary aims of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) are to safeguard peace and human security, reducing global poverty and preserving environment. Austrian development assistance to Bhutan started with the provision of training for the tourism sector during the late 1970s.
An Austrian Coordination Office for Development Cooperation was set up in Thimphu in 1994 to supervise the various development aid programmes /projects which focus primarily on the energy sector (rural energy programmes, Rangjung and Basochhu hydropower plants, technical assistance for Dagachhu and capacity development), tourism sector (master plan, classification system of tourist accommodation, hotel and tourism management training institute and capacity development),culture sector(trongsa dzong renovation and Ta dzong reconstruction and conversion to museum)and good governance (capacity development for local governments).
Bangladesh:
Bhutan and Bangladesh share close ties of friendship. While Diplomatic relations between two countries was established in 1973, the Bangladesh resident mission in Thimphu was established in 1980. The Area of cooperation includes higher studies and training in medicine, engineering and agriculture. Bangladesh is also the second most important trading partner for Bhutan after India. Bhutan exports fruits, Mineral, Stones, Boulders, Cement, Timber Cardamom and processed fruit products to Bangladesh and in 2007 earned Nu 47,.5Million. Imports from Bangladesh include jute, bag, and jute carpets; condense milk, ready made garments Pharmaceutical products, ceramic and melamine products.
CANADA
The Canadian Cooperation Office (CCO)
CCO, administered by the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and funded by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), acts as a conduit for Canadian- Bhutanese activities, and serves as an important focal point for Canadian assistance to Bhutan.
Till date Canada fund has supported over 100 small projects in the education sector in Bhutan since it was established in 1984. Canada’s involvement with Bhutan began in the early 1960s when a Canadian Jesuit, Father William Mackey, was invited to Bhutan to help establish a secular school system. He worked in the education sector for more than thirty years. Till date, more than 50 Canadians have taught in the schools of Bhutan and more than 80 Bhutanese educators have attained higher education from Canadian institutions.
DENMARK
Liaison Office of Denmark
The over riding objective of the Danish development policy is to promote sustainable development through proper economic growth. The Danish development cooperation with Bhutan was initiated in 1978, and in 1989 Bhutan was chosen as a partner programme country. Danish assistance has focused on areas of health and education, urban development, environment and good governance. A substantial part of the assistance is now being provided as sector budget support reflecting the strength of the partnership between Bhutan and Denmark.
The strong focus in Bhutan’s domestic policies on poverty reduction and democratic change, and positive past experiences encourage the partnership. The overall objective of cooperation is poverty reduction through the promotion of sustainable economic development, strengthening of the private sector, democratization and good governance, gender equality and respect for human rights.
The Danish Government has committed about DKK 350 million (USD 70 million) to Bhutan for period 2008-2013, making Denmark the second largest bilateral development partner after India. During this period Denmark will continue its support towards the health and education sectors, environment and urban development as well as good governance. Under the good governance programme Denmark will support the National Land Commission, the Judiciary, Local Governance and Civil Society. A ‘Business to Business’ programme between Danish and Bhutanese private companies is also a priority.
INDIA
Bhutan and India enjoy close ties of friendship and cooperation. The foundation for the friendship was laid by the 1949 India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty which was revised in 2007.
India is Bhutan’s largest donor and provides approximately 50 percent of the kingdom’s development assistance. While formal diplomatic ties were established in May, 1971, relations between Bhutan and India too a substantive from following the visit by third Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck to India in 1953 and Indian Prime Minister,Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru to Bhutan in 1958. Since then, the trust and cooperation between the two countries has been growing and over the years has developed into a mutually beneficial relationship. A major step towards this long-standing cooperation was the 336MW Indo-Bhutan Friendship Project, commissioned at Chukha, followed by the 1,020MW Tala Project, and other mega hydropower projects. Bhutan enjoys nearly 82 percent of its trade with India.
JAPAN
JICA Bhutan Office
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an implementation agency for technical cooperation of Japan’s official development assistance. Its aim is to contribute to the socio economic development or the reconstruction of developing countries.
The Japanese Government has supported Bhutan since the 1964, when an agriculture expert. Besides grant aid, JICA provides technical assistance through its technical cooperation programme an volunteer programmes in a variety of fields which include agriculture, infrastructure, governance, health, education and IT.
JICA currently supports agriculture and rural development, balanced in-frastructure development, balanced infrastructure development, improvement of social services and improvement of government functions.
NETHERLANDS
SNV-Netherlands Development Organization
SNV is a Netherlands based international organization headquartered in The Hague with a presence in 32 countries world-wide. SNV is dedicated to a society where all people enjoy the freedom to pursue their own sustainable development and therefore contributes to this by strengthening the capacity of local organizations and groups allowing them to better contribute to the effective realization of poverty reduction and good governance.
Since 1988, SNV has supported Bhutan in achieving the goals and objectives of its development as laid out in subsequent Five Year Plans which includes support in areas such as irrigation, rural water supply schemes, integrated pest management, integrated area development, watershed management, private sector development, micro-finance, tourism, civil service reform, agriculture, and road construction.
SNV Bhutan works in five sectors, namely; water, sanitation and hygiene; smallholder cash crops; forest products; pro-poor sustainable tourism, and rural infrastructure (which will be phased out in 2009). SNV also provides expertise in governance and gender as cross-cutting themes across all its sectors activities. Currently SNV provides support to the government of Bhutan and other local organizations through the provision of 25 advisory staff, and numerous local capacity builders and short term consultancy services.
Sustainable Development Secretariat
Following the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, 1992, Bhutan and the Netherlands signed the Sustainable Development Agreement (SDA) in 1994. The Netherlands also signed the bilateral sustainable development agreement with Benin and Costa Rice. Under the SDA which espouses a new form of development cooperation to be guided by the principles of equality, reciprocity and participation, the partner countries are working together in pursuit of the goals of sustainable development. In 1993, Bhutan National Mechanism (BNM) comprising of a Board of Sustainable Development Secretariat (SDS) was set up which manages and monitors the SDA funded programmes
The government of Netherlands committed Euro 11 million to facilitate the south-south cooperation between the three partner countries of Benin, Bhutan and Costa Rice. The South-South Cooperation Fund is managed by a management board which comprises of representatives of three partners. The south-south cooperation is targeted towards promotion of sustainable development on a south-south basis through policy dialogue and consultations, sharing of experiences and expertise with the active participation of civil society organizations and seeding initiatives and replicating success stories by implementing pilot and reciprocal projects. The south-south policy consultation held among the partner countries in November, 2005 at Thimphu, Bhutan reviewed the priority areas of cooperation, exchanged information, shared experiences, discussed emerging issues and challenges, and identified reciprocal and pilot projects for implementation under the South-south Cooperation Fund.
Under the cooperation, the four key programme areas include bio-diversity conservation, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, enhancing access to sustainable rural energy and capacity development.
SWITZERLAND
Helvetas/SDC Coordination Office
Helvetas Bhutan
Helvetas is a Swiss Association for international cooperation that was founded in 1955 in Zurich as the first private organization for development co-operation in Switzerland. Helvetas is a non-profit, politically independent association supported by 45,000 members, 50,000 regular sponsors, 15 Helvetas regional groups in Switzerland. However 75 percent of the total budget is financed by the Swiss Federal Government. As the first NGO to come to Bhutan, Helvetas is one of Bhutan’s oldest development partner.
The start of Swiss assistance to Bhutan dates back to the late 1960s through the ‘Swiss Foundation Pro Bhutan’ of Mr. Fritz von Schulthess, a close friend of third Druk Gyalpo. It included support for livestock and dairy development, agriculture, sustainable forestry utilization, food processing, craftsmanship, and medical services. Helvetas, took over these development activities on July 1, 1975. Since the opening of the Joint Cooperation Office in 1983 in Thimphu, Helvetas is mandated to execute development programmes of the Swiss Federal Government in the country and is guided by a Joint Bhutan Country Programme of Helvetas and SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) that prioritizes mainly four development sectors: renewable natural resources, rural infrastructure, education, youth and culture, civil society and the state.
With the overall goal, ”to contribute to the reduction of poverty and socio-economic disparities through a sustainable social, economical, and environmental development that also balances regional needs,” the Swiss assistance in Bhutan aims at the following: promotion of good governance, alleviation of poverty and social disparities, encouragement of sustainable economic development, sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and conservation of the environment, advancement of decentralized participation and private initiatives.
During period 2008-2013. Helvetas/ SDC will be collaborating with the government of Bhutan in promoting rural development initiatives (RDI) and rural development governance (RDG) with the view to contribute towards overall goals of poverty alleviation and democracy and good governance; ensuring environmental sustainability, gender equality, equity and inclusiveness; institution and human capacity building; and harnessing the use of information and communication technology.
Save the Children, USA
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating real and lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. It is a member of the international Save the Children Alliance, comprising 28 national Save the Children organizations working in more than 110 countries to ensure the well-being of children.
Save the Children started its first programme activities in Bhutan in 1982 in the remote community of Edi in southern Zhemgang. Today, throughout 20 Dzongkhags, Save the Children is supporting programmes to provide access to quality education to needy children and in providing information, counseling and life skills education to thousands of adolescent and youth. It also supports improvement of teaching learning process, capacity building and advocacy besides implementing adolescent development programs such as establishment of youth information canters, life skills education and career education and counseling, school-based parents education and awareness, and supporting research on adolescent and youth related issues.
More recently, Save the Children has been implementing street theatre and drama as a new medium of communication to convey to the youth on youth-related concerns. Besides cooperating with the government, Save the Children has also been partnering with local NGOs to support their initiatives to provide scholarships to the support youth development initiatives and to protect children, girls and women from violence.
World Wide Fund for Nature
WWF- Bhutan began its conservation work in 1977 by providing training opportunities for Bhutanese nationals and gradually evolved into a full country programme facilitating several conservation projects that are currently being implemented by national agencies. Since the establishment of a programme office in Thimphu in 1992, WWF has worked closely with the government of Bhutan to develop an integrated and collaborative conservation programme.
The programme has focused on immediate conservation needs, such as established and managing a system of protected areas, while developing the nation’s capacity to manage its natural resources by strengthening relevant institutions, developing human resources and promoting conservation education and public awareness.
RESIDENT UN AGENCIES IN BHUTAN
Relationship between the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) and the United Nations (UN)
has been intimate and fruitful. The UN system has been associated with almost every sphere of social, economic and human development efforts of Bhutan over the years. Of the United Nations organizations to which Bhutan is a member, six have offices in Bhutan namely: FAO, UNDP (which includes UNCEF and UNV), UNFPA, INICEF, WFP and WHO. The Millennium Declaration and the associated Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from the framework within which the UN Country Team operates in Bhutan.
Although Bhutan started late in its development plan, it is already ahead of many South Asian countries towards achieving most of the MDGs by 2015. Bhutan has already met 3 of the MDG indicators (having the proportion of under-weight under-5 children; halving the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and halving the proportion of people without access to improved sanitation by 2015), and is on track to meet other MDG targets.
With the objective to enhance development effectiveness of UN activities in Bhutan through improved UN coordination, effectiveness and efficiency in supporting national goals, 14 UN agencies working in Bhutan (resident and non- resident agencies) have signed a Common Country Programme Action Plan for the next five years (2008-2012). The five priority areas that the UN System will be supporting Bhutan as per the common operational plan are: (i) increased opportunities for generation of income and employment in targeted poor areas; (ii) increased access to, and utilization of, quality health services, with emphasis on reproductive health, maternal and child health and nutrition, HIV/ AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and non-communicable diseases; (iii) improved access to quality education for all, with gender equality and special focus on the hard-to- reach population; (iv) strengthened institutional capacity and people’s participation to ensure good governance; and (v) strengthened national capacity for environmental sustainability and disaster management.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
FAO leads international efforts in defeating hunger. Bhutan and the FAO first commenced their long standing partnership in 1973, even before Bhutan obtained FAO membership in 1981. The present Office in Thimphu was opened in April 1985.
FAO’s cooperation in the forestry sector, launched in 1973 through a UNDP- funded project has expanded through a series of projects that have progressively diversified into more extensive and specialized disciplines. FAO’s past assistance includes, drafting new forest legislation, mushroom development, forest products pricing policy, and contribution on social forestry and wood energy for the master plan for forestry development, including the preparation of a forestry sector programme framework while recent involvement includes assistance in forest management, forestry extension, and institutional development.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. With 42 years of development service, UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries. UNDP started its assistance programme in Bhutan in 1973, although its office was established only in 1979. In Bhutan, the foundation of UNDP’s work is to ensure that progress is based on people- on their needs, efforts and rights. UNDP mobilizes and coordinates support from other partners and pilots new solutions that can be replicated. It also offers a global network which Bhutan can draw upon for ideas and resources.
UNDP’s assistance in the country is focused mainly in the areas of democratic governance which constitutes one of the thrusts of UNDP’s support to Bhutan. The support falls within the areas of decentralization and local governance, support for parliamentary democracy, and e-governance and strengthening media. Poverty reduction and achievement of MDGs is the second area of support. The third area of assistance is sustainable energy, environment and disaster risk management. UNDP is also a key partner of Bhutan in helping promote gender equality and empowerment of women through various interventions and has supported series of activities aimed at enhancing capacity of its national counterparts in gender mainstreaming mainly partnering with the National Commission for Women and Children.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
UNFPA is an international Development Agency that promotes the right of every women, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. Since 1981, UNFPA’s support in Bhutan is broadly divided into three main areas of work: to help ensure universal access to reproductive health, including family planning and making motherhood safer; support towards adolescent sexual reproductive health and prevention of HIV infection among adolescents and youth; to support population and development strategies that enable capacity-building in population programming and to promote awareness of population and development issues; and promoting gender equality.
One of the key determinants of UNFPA’s success in Bhutan has been the tireless efforts of Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, UNFPA goodwill Ambassador since 1999. The advocacy efforts of Her Majesty placed reproductive health, including family planning, HIV/ AIDS infection, population and development, and gender equality squarely and prominently at the center of the country’s development dialogue.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF: With presence in 190 countries, UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. UNICEF’s assistance in Bhutan began in 1974 with the water supply and sanitation programme. Since then, its has expanded its support to improve the lives of Bhutanese children and women.
Based on the core principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), UNICEF’s programme focuses on four key areas which includes health, nutrition and sanitation programme that aims to strengthen quality and coverage of maternal and newborn care services, address micronutrient deficiencies and expanding water and sanitation services and health and hygiene promotion especially in primary schools and religious institutes; quality education which focuses on increasing retention and completion rates by improving the quality of primary education and ensuring equal access for all children. It also support s the increase of development readiness of young children for schools and provides a second chance to education for out of-school young people through non-formal education; enabling environment for child protection and planning, communication and participation through strengthening planning capacities of targeted ministries and departments and advocacy and promotion of behavior change communication. HIV/AIDS prevention and care are cross- cutting elements of the programme.
World Food Programme (WFP)
WFP is the UN’s frontline agency in the fight against global hunger which started its assistance in Bhutan since 1976. The cornerstone of WFP activities in Bhutan has been and continues to be Food for Education Programme, through which thousands of children received school meals over the last three decades. Presently, there are 217 WFP assisted schools across the country with some 41,000 beneficiaries.
In the past WFP has also supported road and bridge construction, health, agricultural re-settlement, forestry, irrigation and dairy development projects and assisted with the establishment of a national emergency food buffer stock. WFP also aims to support Bhutan in Improving access to education by providing nutritious meals for school children, particularly those from rural families and vulnerable to food insecurity. Particular attention is given to reducing 2008-2012 will be on primary education and capacity- building of government counterparts.
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the UN system and is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters. Although Bhutan officially joined WHO on 8 March 1882, its cooperation with Bhutan extends back further. Bhutan adopted the Declaration of Alma Ata as its core thrust in the development of modern health services in 1979. From the vary beginning, cooperation between WHO and Bhutan has been based on mutual confidence and a close working relationship.
WHO’s assistance in Bhutan is focused mainly in five areas which includes human resources development at all levels; strengthening of health system, reducing health risks to health, reducing the burden of diseases and promoting health environments for sustainable development.
