Thimphu, Mar 15 (UNI) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has presented a Special Award of Recognition to the Bhutanese king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for advancing human development and the wellbeing and happiness of the people of Bhutan.
The UNDP Administrator and United Nations Under-Secretary General, Achim Steiner, presented the award to the king.
A press release from the foreign ministry of Bhutan on Thursday stated that the award took into account three major human development achievements: "His Majesty’s championing of the holistic development paradigm of Gross National Happiness, His Majesty’s leadership in environment conservation and climate action which has resulted in Bhutan being the only carbon negative country in the world, and His Majesty’s guidance, which ensured a smooth transition of the system of governance and strong democratic foundations to be established in Bhutan."