MIA TSHERING TOBGAY, Prime Minister of Bhutan, recounting his country’s admission into the United Nations in September 1971, said:  “On that day, after centuries of self-imposed isolation, Bhutan became the 128th member of the United Nations.  It was a defining moment for us — a moment when a small, poor, landlocked country, nestled in the world’s highest mountains, joined the global community of nations.”  That same year, the United Nations created the “least developed country” category to provide targeted support to the world’s poorest nations, and Bhutan was among the first in the group to be admitted, he added.  Its primarily agrarian economy then was operating largely on a barter system, and its per capita income stood at just $215.  Life expectancy was barely 40 years, and its infant mortality rate was “tragically high at 142 deaths for every 1,000 live births”.  The literacy rate was “woefully low, with less than 300 students in the few scattered schools” established to provide modern education.

“Today, I stand before you with a story of transformation and progress,” he declared, pointing to a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) that has risen to over $3,500, an increase in life expectancy to 70 years and an infant mortality drop to 15 deaths per 1,000 live births.  Additionally, the literacy rate has climbed to 71 per cent, with youth literacy skyrocketing to 99 per cent.  He reported that in December 2023, 52 years after joining the UN, Bhutan graduated from the “least developed country” category.  Noting the support of many friends in that journey, he thanked the United Nations and its specialized agencies; development partners including Japan, the European Union, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank; and especially “India, our closest friend and neighbour … [who] have been with us from the very beginning of our development journey”.  “Under the leadership of our enlightened monarchs, Bhutan has pursued a development path grounded in the philosophy of Gross National Happiness” — an approach which places the happiness and well-being of our people at the centre of the development agenda, he added.

Bhutan’s economy, while small, is sustainable and inclusive, he said.  Healthcare and education are free for all.  With more than 72 per cent of its land under forest cover, Bhutan is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot and a carbon-negative country.  “Our democracy, a gift from our King, has been embraced by a reluctant population,” he added.  Nonetheless, to address new challenges, Bhutan must strengthen its economy, provide youth with meaningful opportunities and embrace a new development paradigm, he said, reporting that his country’s King has announced the establishment of the Gelephu Mindfulness City — a transformative vision for future urban spaces, a blueprint for living mindfully and sustainably.  “Spanning 2,600 square kilometres of pristine forests and fertile farmlands, it will enable human innovation and natural ecosystems to thrive together, while fostering human well-being, environmental sustainability and mindful living,” he said, inviting thought leaders, innovators and investors to join in building this groundbreaking city, contributing to “a model of peace, harmony and progress that others can follow”.

“Bhutan’s story is one of hope.  But it is also a call to action,” he emphasized, pointing out that “more than 50 years have passed, and only seven nations have graduated from the LDC [least developed countries] category, leaving 46 countries still in need”.  He urged the international community to intensify its efforts to ensure that all least developed countries achieve graduation.  The recently adopted Pact for the Future provides a road map to transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable, but transforming the future also requires the transformation of institutions shaping it.  To that end, the UN must evolve to meet the realities of today’s world, and the Security Council, as “a relic of the past”, must reflect the current geopolitical and economic landscape.  Bhutan has long advocated for Council reform to make it more representative and effective, he said, highlighting that “India, with its significant economic growth and leadership in the Global South, deserves a permanent seat at the Security Council”, and “similarly, Japan, a leading donor and peacebuilder, warrants permanent membership”.