Gross National Happiness for the Global Goals
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Thirteenth Round Table Meeting 15-16 March, 2017 Thimphu, Bhutan Gross National Happiness for the Global Goals Report of the 13th Round Table Meeting Between Bhutan and its Development Partners Prepared by the Joint Task Force for the 13th RTM Royal Government of Bhutan and the United Nations in Bhutan In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme 1 Photo 1: Guests and participants Photo 2: Technical sessions CONTENTS 1. Introduction .............................................................................. 3 2. Summary of Proceedings ........................................................... 5 Inaugural Address ............................................................................ 5 Introductory Remarks ....................................................................... 6 Launch of the 12th FYP Guidelines ....................................................... 7 Opening of Side Events ..................................................................... 9 Technical Sessions ......................................................................... 10 Concluding Session ........................................................................ 10 3. Main Areas of Discussion...........................................................11 (i) GNH Concept and Operationalization: Findings from the 2015 GNH Survey and Index ............................................................................. 11 History and Concept ....................................................................... 11 Developing Assessment Tools .......................................................... 12 The GNH Index and 2015 Findings .................................................... 14 Integration into Planning Processes ................................................... 17 Challenges .................................................................................... 21 (ii) GNH and SDG Alignment ............................................................. 21 GNH-Inspired National Development Framework ................................. 22 Global Goals: Sustainable Development Goals .................................... 23 Commonalities between GNH and SDGs ............................................. 24 Alignment and Integration of SDGs with the National Development Plans 27 Additional Observations .................................................................. 29 Financing the SDGs and Way Forward ............................................... 30 (iii) State of the Environment and Climate Change Initiatives ................. 32 Environmental Policies and Legislations ............................................. 33 A. Bhutan State of the Environment Report 2016 ............................... 33 B. Bhutan’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement .................................................................................... 37 National Context ......................................................................... 37 Contribution of Actions from Bhutan ............................................... 39 Means of Implementation ............................................................. 41 (iv) Macroeconomic Scenario ............................................................. 42 A. Macroeconomic Performance in the First Half of the 11th FYP ............ 42 Real Sector ................................................................................ 42 External Sector ........................................................................... 45 Monetary & Financial Sector .......................................................... 47 B. Fiscal Position........................................................................... 48 Key Policies and Framework .......................................................... 48 Fiscal Path ................................................................................. 49 Coverage of Expenditure by Domestic Revenue ................................ 49 Public Debt ................................................................................ 49 C. Policy Initiatives ....................................................................... 50 D. Macroeconomic Outlook for the 12th FYP Period (2018-2023) ........... 51 1 (v) Current Socioeconomic Development and Way Forward .................... 53 A. Status of the 11th Five Year Plan (1st July 2013 – 20th June 2018) ..... 53 Progress towards 11th FYP Objective ............................................... 53 Key Initiatives ............................................................................ 55 Challenges ................................................................................. 57 B. Way Forward: Guidelines for the Preparation of the 12th Five Year Plan (1st July 2018 – 30th June 2023) ....................................................... 57 Strategic Framework ................................................................... 58 Preliminary Fiscal Projections ........................................................ 61 4. Potential Areas for Cooperation ................................................63 Avenues for Partnership ..................................................................... 63 Indications of Support and Cooperation by Development Partners ............. 64 5. Conclusion ................................................................................70 6. Annexures ................................................................................74 Annex 1: Program for the 13th RTM ...................................................... 74 Annex 2: Inaugural Address by the Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan ... 77 Annex 3: Introductory Remarks by the Co-Chair H.E. Haoliang Xu ............ 85 Annex 4: Introductory Remarks by the Co-Chair H.E. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji 91 Annex 5: Statements Submitted by Development Partners ...................... 93 Annex 5.1: Statement by Asian Development Bank (ADB) .................... 93 Annex 5.2: Statement by Austria ...................................................... 96 Annex 5.3: Statement by Australia ................................................... 99 Annex 5.4: Statement by Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) ................................................................... 101 Annex 5.5: Statement by the European Union .................................. 102 Annex 5.6: Statement by Global Fund ............................................. 105 Annex 5.7: Statement by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation ............... 107 Annex 5.8: Statement by India ...................................................... 109 Annex 5.9: Statement by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ....................................................................................... 111 Annex 5.10: Statement by Japan .................................................... 113 Annex 5.11: Joint UN Statement .................................................... 115 Annex 5.12: Statement by Save the Children ................................... 121 Annex 5.13: Statement by Singapore .............................................. 123 Annex 5.14: Statement by Thailand ................................................ 125 Annex 5.15: Statement by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Bhutan ............ 128 Annex 5.16: Statement by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ................................................................................................. 132 Annex 5.17: Statement by World Bank ............................................ 136 Annex 6: Concluding Statement by the Co-Chair Lyonpo Damcho Dorji .... 139 Annex 7: Concluding Statement by the Co-Chair Haoliang Xu ................. 142 Annex 8: Closing Remarks by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan......... 145 2 1. Introduction The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) held its 13th Round Table Meeting (RTM) on 15th and 16th March 2017, in Thimphu, Bhutan. This fell broadly around the midpoint in the implementation of its 11th Five Year Plan (2013-2018), and at the preparatory phase for its upcoming 12th Plan (2018-2023). The RGoB thus had the opportunity to take stock of development progress to date, review challenges, and work on strategies to ensure the full alignment of development assistance for achievement of national priorities and Global Goals. The Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, inaugurated this important event, which was jointly organized by the RGoB and the United Nations (UN) Systems in Bhutan. It was co- chaired by H.E. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Haoliang Xu, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director, Asia and the Pacific. Over 39 representatives of Bhutan’s international development partners, and 40 resident development partners attended the event. The forum also saw active participation of representatives from Ministries, Constitutional Bodies, Parliament, autonomous agencies, Local Government, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and private sector associations. Background, Theme and Objectives RTMs were initiated in the early 1980s as an important forum for policy dialogue and aid coordination. The forums are usually held twice over the course of a Five Year Plan (FYP) period, and are also an occasion for Bhutan and its development partners to discuss common interests and issues, and to strengthen cooperation. For the 13th RTM, the Royal Government chose the theme of “Gross National Happiness for the Global Goals”. In