Bhutan to host Asian parliamentarians

Bhutan will be hosting the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) Standing Committee meeting on social and cultural affairs scheduled from Aug. 31 – Sept. 2 at the Convention Center in Thimphu, A press release issued by National Council said. APA is in pursuit of peace based justice and for closer Asian parliamentary cooperation.

Bhutan is hosting the meeting for the first time where parliamentarians from 20 member countries would be participating.

National Assembly Speaker, Jigme Zangpo, is serving as the Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee on social and cultural affairs. Bhutan has been participating in the meeting since 2013 as one of the member parliaments of APA.

The Standing Committee consists of political, peace and security, social and cultural, economic and sustainable development, and energy.

The three day meeting will discuss measures on protecting cultural diversity and cultural heritage in Asia, Asian integration through information and communication technology, collaboration on health equity, protection and promotion of rights of migrant workers in Asia, and Asian parliamentarians for corruption.