National Assembly of Bhutan

05/09/2026

05/09/2026

5 September 2026: 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮
Thimphu, 5 September 2026: The two-day South Asian Parliamentary Dialogue on Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development commenced today in Thimphu, bringing together parliamentarians and experts from across South Asia to deliberate on shared challenges and opportunities in climate resilience, environmental conservation, energy transition and sustainable development.

The dialogue, organised by the South Asian Regional Parliamentary Forum (SARPF), is being held from 5–6 September 2026 at Yarkay Thimphu – IHCL SeleQtions. SARPF is a non-partisan platform of parliamentarians and legislators from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, established to promote regional parliamentary cooperation and policy dialogue on climate, energy and the environment.

The inaugural session was graced by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Bhutan, Hon. Sangay Khandu, as the Guest of Honour, and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, H.E. Lyonpo Sonam Tashi, as the Chief Guest. The programme also featured the presentation of the South Asia Energy Transition Status Report 2026 by Dr Samantha Stratton-Short, Chief Climate Officer, UNOPS.
The first day focuses on Bhutan’s climate change agenda, with discussions on environmental conservation, climate resilience and energy challenges from the Bhutanese perspective. The second day will bring together parliamentarians from across South Asia to exchange experiences and best practices and explore a possible regional approach to addressing common climate and environmental challenges.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Sangay Khandu highlighted Bhutan’s longstanding commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development, noting that the country’s experience demonstrates that economic development and environmental stewardship need not be viewed as competing priorities. He underscored the important role of Parliaments in translating scientific evidence and community concerns into policies, legislation and national action.

He also called for stronger parliamentary cooperation across South Asia, particularly in areas such as climate finance, renewable energy, water security, disaster preparedness, biodiversity conservation and resilient infrastructure. He emphasised the need for South Asian Parliaments to strengthen their collective voice in global climate and sustainable development discussions. The Minister for MoENR minister's remark also stressed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and also incorporating voices of youth in decision making.

The dialogue seeks to strengthen parliamentary partnerships and collective action towards a greener, more resilient, cooperative and sustainable South Asia.

04/09/2026

03-04 September 2026 : 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The Legislative Committee of the National Assembly conducted a stakeholder consultation on the Insolvency and Rehabilitation Bill of Bhutan 2026 with key institutions involved in the financial and justice sectors.

The consultation brought together representatives from the Royal Monetary Authority, Ministry of Finance, financial institutions, and the Judiciary to gather practical and institutional perspectives on the proposed legislation.

The discussions focused on key aspects of the Bill, including the insolvency and rehabilitation framework, protection of creditors and debtors, the role of financial institutions, regulatory oversight, and the effective implementation and enforcement of the proposed law.

The consultation provided an important platform for stakeholders to share their views, identify practical challenges, and provide recommendations to further strengthen the Bill and ensure that the proposed insolvency framework is effective, coherent, and responsive to Bhutan’s economic and legal context.

The Committee will consider the views and recommendations received from stakeholders as it continues its detailed review of the Bill.

03/09/2026

2 September 2026: 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon’ble Tempa Dorji, convened and chaired the first plenary meeting of the National Assembly following his election and assumption of office at the Lhenzom Khangzang.

In his opening remarks, the Speaker expressed his gratitude to the Members for the confidence and trust placed in him through his election. He reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the integrity of the Office of the Speaker and to discharging his responsibilities with impartiality, fairness, and dedication.

The Speaker further emphasised his commitment to strengthening the institution of Parliament and fostering a collaborative and constructive working environment among Members, with the shared objective of advancing the effectiveness and credibility of the legislative branch.

The meeting focused on strengthening the effective functioning of parliamentary committees, including committee work plans, timelines, budgeting, and constituency visits.The Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating the work of the committees by ensuring the necessary institutional support and allowing flexibility in scheduling committee activities and constituency visits, taking into account the respective priorities and commitments of each committee.

The meeting also discussed administrative matters and provided an opportunity for Members to raise concerns and issues related to the functioning and strengthening of the institution and preparations for the forthcoming Winter Session.

The meeting further highlighted the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of the legislative branch through adequate manpower, subject-matter specialists, appropriate facilities and services. Members also discussed follow-up actions on key legislation and action taken reports.

The meeting also took note of the successful organization of the Second Hindu Kush Himalaya Parliamentarians' Meet organised by the Parliament led by the Environment and Climate Change Committee held in Terma Linca from 26-27 August 2026 and the upcoming South Asian Regional Parliamentary Forum (SARPF) for Climate, Energy and Environment scheduled to be held at the Yarkey Hotel on 5–6 September 2026.

02/09/2026

2 September 2026: 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐲

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon’ble Tempa Dorji, took the Oath of Affirmation of Secrecy today at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

The Oath of Affirmation of Secrecy was administered by the Chief Justice of Bhutan, H.E. Lyonpo Norbu Tshering.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, the Deputy Speaker, Hon’ble Sangay Khandu formally handed over the duties and responsibilities of the Speaker to Hon’ble Tempa Dorji. The formal handover was completed through the signing of the handover documents, marking the assumption of office by the newly elected Speaker.

Hon’ble Tempa Dorji was elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly during the Extraordinary Sitting convened on 19 August 2026.

01/09/2026

1 September 2026: 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐧’𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

National Assembly Secretariat formally welcomed the Leader of the Opposition, Hon’ble Dasho Pema Chewang, following the conferment of the Lewang Kabney by His Majesty the King at Tashichhodzong on August 27, 2026.

The welcoming ceremony commenced with traditional Zhudrel Phunsum Tshogpa at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. This was followed by Marchang and the offering of Tashi Khadar by Members of Parliament, Secretariat staff, and well-wishers to mark the auspicious occasion.

01/09/2026

31st August 2026: 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The Human Rights and Foreign Relations Committee of the National Assembly held a consultation meeting with relevant stakeholders on the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2026, as part of its ongoing legislative review in preparation for the Sixth Session of the Fourth Parliament.

The consultation brought together representatives from the Judiciary, Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Royal Monetary Authority (RMA), Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (M*FAET), Ministry of Finance (M*F), Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), and Department of Law and Order (DLO).

The meeting provided an opportunity for the Committee to further deliberate on the Bill and seek views, clarifications, and inputs from relevant agencies to ensure that the proposed legislation is comprehensive and responsive to national priorities, and conducive to effective international legal cooperation.

The consultation is part of the Committee’s continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to review and refine the Bill before its consideration by the House.

28/08/2026