Bhutan SDG Partnership Week Launched: Uniting for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future
13 November 2024
Caption: Her Royal Highness Princess Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuck, President of the Bhutan Paralympic Committee, with participants at the launch of the Bhutan SDG Partnership Week
One Week to Strengthen Partnerships for SDG Acceleration in Bhutan
Her Royal Highness Princess Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuck, President of the Bhutan Paralympic Committee, inaugurated this remarkable event at the Convention Hall, Royal University of Bhutan, Thimphu. Hosted by the Royal Government of Bhutan and the United Nations in Bhutan, this weeklong celebration brings together government agencies, development partners, civil society, youth groups, the private sector, and academia to strengthen partnerships for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Throughout the week, the Bhutan SDG Partnership Week will host thought-provoking dialogues, vibrant exhibitions, and community-driven initiatives aimed at accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with innovative and inclusive solutions.
The Bhutan SDG Partnership Week will culminate in a grand SDG Festival on 16 November at Clock Tower Square, featuring cultural performances, exhibitions, and interactive activities. This festival represents our shared commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future for Bhutan, celebrating the collective dedication of all stakeholders.
Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay highlighted the essence of these partnerships:
“Bhutan’s development philosophy, rooted in Gross National Happiness, aligns deeply with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Bhutan SDG Partnership Week is a testimony to our shared vision for a sustainable future, in which no one is left behind. Together with our partners, we continue to build an inclusive society that values well-being, equity, and environmental stewardship.”
Caption: Her Royal Highness Princess Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuck, President of the Bhutan Paralympic Committee, receives the visual representation of the Endless Knot from Pema Tshering- a highly gifted artist living with cerebral palsy. The Endless Knot reflects the value of weaving diverse perspectives into a stronger, more resilient societal fabric- which embodies the vision and mission of Agenda Chikha- a representation of interconnectedness and an idea that is central to inclusivity.
A key highlight is the unveiling of Agenda Chikha, a groundbreaking initiative to advance disability inclusion in Bhutan. Crafted collaboratively by the Royal Government of Bhutan, the United Nations, development partners, and disability organizations, Agenda Chikha stands on four pillars: empowering lives, lifting our game, changing mindsets, and building knowledge.
“Agenda Chikha is a new way of bringing people together and lifting our game,” shared Ms. Karla Robin Hershey, UN Resident Coordinator in Bhutan. “Guided by the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities and the findings of the National Council Report on the State of Persons with Disabilities, Agenda Chikha reflects our commitment to ensure everyone, especially persons with disabilities, thrives and contributes meaningfully to our collective journey toward the SDGs.”
Her Royal Highness’s advocacy for disability inclusion reinforces the power of inclusive partnerships and policies, bringing us closer to a future where no one is left behind.
