UN: UNICEF executive director, Anthony Lake, arrives in the country on a four-day official visit, today, according to a foreign affairs press release.

He is visiting Bhutan at the invitation of the government.

During his visit, he will meet with the Prime Minister, and the foreign affairs and education ministers. They will be discussing areas of cooperation between Bhutan and UNICEF.

The UNICEF executive director will also visit a primary school in Thimphu.

He will attend the UNICEF Regional (South Asia) management team meeting in Thimphu being held from November 2-4.

UNICEF is the UN system’s lead agency working globally for the rights of every child.

The organization works in 192 countries and territories and focuses on providing care to the most vulnerable and excluded children to overcome the obstacles of poverty, violence, disease and discrimination.

Co-operation between UNICEF and Bhutan began in 1974 when a Plan of Operations was formulated for an inter-related programme of services for children and women. Today, UNICEF provides assistance in the priority areas of health and education.

The UNICEF country office was established in Bhutan in 1994.

Staff reporter