What did Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan say at the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81)?
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay stood at the UN rostrum “as a salesman”, pitching Gelephu Mindfulness City, the King’s plan for a green economic hub, and inviting investors and governments to build it with Bhutan.
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He addressed the general debate on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the twelfth speaker of the afternoon session.
The speech in brief
- The pitch. Gelephu offers hydropower for data centers and advanced manufacturing, access to the region’s markets, and political stability.
- Nature as value. He described a carbon-negative landscape where forests and rivers are part of the value, not obstacles to growth.
- India. He called India “a trusted friend and capital partner” and thanked Prime Minister Modi and the state of Assam for backing the project.
In his own words
I’m here to sell you an idea, and the idea is GMC. And my sales pitch is simple: come and build it with us.
“The forest, rivers and wildlife of GMC are not obstacles to development; they are part of its value.”
Worth knowing
- A 69 km rail link between Assam in India and Gelephu is planned as part of the project.
Watch and read the full speech
Video of the address:
UN Web TVWatch Prime Minister Tobgay’s address on UN Web TVThe UN posts the statement on its general debate website.
Every Day 1 speaker, in order: What happened on Day 1 of UNGA 81.
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