Bhutan King: “World Must Progress Together or Fail”

The world’s youngest monarch, Bhutan’s Jigme Khesar Wangchuk, recently spoke at India’s National Defense College during a state visit to the country. His speech covered the issues of an increasing globalized world, and how important it is for nations and people to depend on each other.

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“I truly believe that the only way to observe the most important things in life and in this world is by putting them through the lens of ‘Simplicity’. For in the end, no matter what country we may be from, we are human beings – no matter what our cultures and beliefs may be, we share the same needs and abide by the same fundamental values,” the King said.

“This is a world that is shared – not between governments and nations but among us, the people. It may sound idealistic – but this is a natural and practical way of approaching things that seem intractable and inflexible – no matter how big the problem. The image of a shared planet must always be present in our minds – and especially in the minds of those who are in positions of leadership.”

This is coming from a young man who’s Himalayan Kingdom has been emerging from centuries of isolation over the past decade. Bhutan only recently allowed television and the Internet into its borders, and is slowly opening itself to the rest of the world.

King Jigme went on to talk about the dependence of nations on one another.

“Individual or even national success is a ship that cannot carry everyone together to the same place at the same time”. Rich nations must stop to be mindful of the poorer ones left behind. Successful people must stop to remember those who didn’t make it. No nation today can stand alone in achievement. (…) The world must progress together or fail together,” he said.

The 29 year-old monarch then brought up what his father promoted during his days as King of Bhutan – GNH, or Gross National Happiness, over Gross National Product.

“Today, GNH has come to mean so many things to so many people but to me it signifies simply – Development with Values. I am confident that the noble goal of Gross National Happiness will be key to Bhutan’s success in maintaining our unity and harmony – indeed our character as a nation,” King Jigme said as he ended his speech.

The King was only crowned as King of Bhutan in November 2008.