Ms. Argentina Matavel Piccin, UNFPA country director for Bhutan is on her first official familiarization visit to country from 21st to 24th May 2019. She made courtesy calls to high level government dignitaries that included :
- H.E. Dr. Lotay Tshering, Prime minister
- H.E. Dr. Tandin Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs
- H.E. Jai Bir Rai, Minister of Education
- H.E. Wangchuk Namgay, Speaker of National Assembly
- Dr. Pandup Tshering, Director General/O.I.C for Minister of Health
- Mr. Thinley Namgay, Secretary, Gross National Happiness
Country director acknowledged the Government’s commitment towards ICPD and 2030 agenda and commended Bhutan’s achievements in social indicators especially related to Maternal and reproductive health that other countries could try to learn from. She appraised the dignitaries on the significance of 2019, which marks 50 years of UNFPA and 25 years of the Programme of action of the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). She extended invitation for Bhutan’s participation in ICPD25 conference to be held in Nairobi, Kenya in November2019. She reaffirmed UNFPA’s continued collaboration and commitment to advance the progress of 2030 agenda and the PoA of the 1994 Cairo ICPD.
Ms. Argentina also attended the opening ceremony of the 2nd session of the 3rd Parliament of Bhutan. She will also receive audience with Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuk, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.
