Visit: Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay attended the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from February 11-13 with 4,000 delegates from around 140 countries and heads of international organisations, according to a foreign affairs press release.

WGS is an annual event held in Dubai since 2013 under the patronage of the prime minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

WGS is a global knowledge exchange programme for government, business and civil society to serve humanity better, sustainably. This year, the summit discussed exploring global research in happiness, Arab youth and food security.

During the opening of the session “The Role of government in achieving happiness,” Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay said 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.

Lyonchoen added that Bhutan is blessed with extraordinary and enlightened Kings who have consistently endeavoured to ensure the happiness of the people as their overarching priority.

Lyonchoen also participated in the session “Impact of climate change on food security.” During his participation, Lyonchoen said that food security is fundamental to achieving happiness. He also said that climate change and its potential impact on food production would likely fall disproportionately on the world’s poor.

On the sidelines of the summit, Lyonchoen also held a bilateral meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Bhutan and the United Arab Emirates also signed an Memorandum of Understanding and established an Air Service Agreement on February 13.

Bhutan and the UAE established diplomatic ties in 2013. This is the first such visit by the Prime Minister of Bhutan to the UAE and it will greatly contribute towards strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, the press release states.

Lyonchoen returned to Bhutan on February 14.

Staff Reporter

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