Press Release

Hon’ble Jigme Wangchuk, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council led a nine-member delegation to the 139th session of the IPU Assembly and related meetings that was held in Geneva from 14-18 October 2018.

Speaking on the theme of the general debate “Parliamentary leadership in promoting peace and development in the age of innovation and technological change” Hon. Jigme Wangchuk stated that lawmakers must strive to better understand scientific and technological advances, educate and raise awareness about them, help develop policies and responses in order to ensure that all peoples and nations benefit, and together promote a more secure, prosperous and peaceful world. He stated that Bhutan, which had a late start in modernization, has gained immensely from technological developments, but is facing serious challenges in responding and adapting to the fast changes that are taking place. He also said that Bhutan was looking forward to learning from the experiences of others. Hon. Jigme Wangchuk also apprised the Assembly of Bhutan’s democratic process and the elections of 2018.

The Deputy Chairman also held a bilateral meeting with Hon’ble Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha of India and discussed areas of cooperation between the two parliaments.