''Lyonpo'' Chenkyab Dorji is a Bhutanese diplomat. He had been the secretary-general of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation from March 1, 2005 to February 29, 2008.

Biography

Early life

Born in 1943 in

Haa District Haa District ( Dzongkha: ཧཱ་; Wylie: ''Haa''; alternative spellings include "Ha") is one of the 20 dzongkhag or districts comprising Bhutan. An alternative name for the district is "Hidden-Land Rice Valley." It the second least-populate ...

of western Bhutan, H.E. Mr. Chenkyab Dorji graduated in Forestry from

Dehradun Dehradun () is the capital and the most populous city of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous district and is governed by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation, with the Uttarakhand Legislative As ...

, India in 1963. He then completed his Masters in Forestry Science from Forestry Research Institute,

in 1967. Subsequently, he had undertaken trainings at various world-renowned institutions including, the Swiss Technical Institute in Zurich,

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

, and the Wood Technology and Transport in Austria. He is a pioneer forester.

Political life

Mr. Dorji joined the civil service of Bhutan in 1961 in the Department of Forests and later served as the first Director until 1984. From 1983 to 1985 he served as Director of the Board of International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), which is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. In 1984, he was appointed as the Joint Secretary of the Department of Trade, Commerce, and Industry and Mines of Bhutan. A year later he was promoted as the Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industries and Forests. In 1986, he served both as the Secretary, National Planning Commission and Secretary, Department of Agriculture. He held the office of the Vice-chairman and Deputy Minister of Planning Commission (independent charge) during the period of 1988-1991. He was then elevated to the post of Cabinet Minister for Planning and served as its Chairman from 1991 through 1998. He also served as Chairman of the National Environment Commission from 1992 to 1998. During his Chairmanship of above Commissions, two key documents were prepared and published i.e. Bhutan 2020 – A vision for peace, prosperity and happiness 1996, and the Middle Path – National Environment Strategy for Bhutan.

Recognition

Mr. Dorji also served as Member of several key institutions of

Royal Government of Bhutan The Government of Bhutan has been a constitutional monarchy since 18 July 2008. The King of Bhutan is the head of state. The executive power is exercised by the Lhengye Zhungtshog, or council of ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. Legislat ...

. He was conferred a number of awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions during his career. Prior to joining the

SAARC The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, ...

Secretariat, Mr. Dorji served as Bhutan’s first resident Ambassador to Thailand at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok. He was concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Singapore, Australia and was also responsible for Bhutan’s relations with other South East Asian Countries. Dorji has to his credit two titles published i.e. The National Forest Policy (1974), and The Bhutan Forest Act (1969).

Achievements

Dorji was the first Secretary General of

who comes from Bhutan. It may be added that during the first cycle, Bhutan did not nominate a dignitary for the same position.

Honours

* : **

The Royal Red Scarf (1975). ** BHT Druk Wangyel Ribbon

The Royal Orange Scarf (1991). ** BHT Royal Order of Bhutan Ribbon

Member of the

Royal Order of Bhutan The Royal Order of Bhutan ( Dzongkha: Druk Thuksey / Druk Thugsey, meaning "Heart Son of the Thunder Dragon") is a medal awarded by the King of Bhutan. It was established by Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1966 and redesigned in 2008. Award It is award ...

(17 December 2017).Dofps
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References

External links

SAARC Secretary General's Homepage

SAARC Homepage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dorji, Chenkyab 1943 births Living people Bhutanese diplomats Ambassadors of Bhutan to Australia Ambassadors of Bhutan to Singapore Ambassadors of Bhutan to Thailand Secretaries General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation