Thimpu completes all preparations for hosting SAARC summit

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Bhutan is all set for hosting the 16th SAARC summit slated for April 28-29 with the capital Thimpu becoming ‘cleaner and greener’ living up to this year’s theme of ‘Conservation of Environment and Climate’.
This year’s summit marks special significance as the regional grouping completes its 25 years, reports BSS.
This is the first time Bhutan is going to hold such a conference where eight heads of governments from Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Maldives will be attending.
Bhutan had skipped the opportunity to host the SAARC summit three times on the grounds of the country’s infrastructure.
The summit is also important for Bhutan since it is actually obligatory for each member state to host the summit.
In fact, the 2010 summit was Maldives’ turn to host.
“It (SAARC Summit) will greatly enhance Bhutan’s international image as a sovereign, independent, responsible and equal member country,” said Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley.
“We are now prepared in terms of the administration, infrastructure and the foreign ministry being ready to host the summit,” he said, adding that the meeting would also allow for bilateral meetings with all the leaders of the SAARC countries.
Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Daw Penjo said the country has completed all its preparation for hosting the SAARC Summit, according to media reports from Thimpu.
Against the backdrop of global climate change, the issues of checking natural disaster and protecting environment will be given priority in this year’s summit.