On 28 November, the Bhutan-Denmark Transition Event in Thimphu officially ended the official development cooperation that started in 1978. But DIPD will stay on!

Danish Ambassador to India and Bhutan, H.E. Freddy Svane, talking to the Minister of Agriculture of Bhutan.

Report by Bjørn Førde, DIPD Director

With Mr. Freddy Svane, the Danish Ambassador to India and Bhutan present, together with high level officials representing the Government of Bhutan, almost four decades of successful development cooperation between the two countries officially ended today.

In their statements, both the Danish Ambassador and the representatives of Bhutan emphasized that this had not been a traditional donor relationship, but rather a true friendship, building on respect. The relationship has also been unique in the sense that it was the choice of Bhutan to cooperate with Denmark, not the other way around as has most often been the case.

The unique event was graced by the participation of many Danes, who had been advisers in Bhutan since the first technical advisor arrived in 1979. This was Torben Huus-Bruun, who was also present at the event and told about a Bhutan that looked very different from the Bhutan of 2014.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, who is also a good friend of DIPD, talking to former Danish advisers and their families.

Since cooperation started in 1978, this small country in the Himalayas has experienced a dramatic transformation in the many areas where Denmark has been able to offer support – like agriculture, water, health, education, private sector, governance and the environment.

But while official government to government cooperation is now coming to an end, other forms of cooperation will continue. One area is that of support for the young Bhutanese democracy, implemented through the efforts of DIPD. This is also recognized in the exhibition prepared for the event, as well as in the short movie produced – with the example of DIPD support for BNEW – Bhutan Network for Empowering Women.

Poster at the exhibition, showing DIPD support for BNEW – Bhutan Network for Empowering Women.