ABCP President, the 29th Noun Khan, Gabji Demberel Choijamts on Saturday, 22 August 2026 met with His Excellency Mr. Jigmi Y. Thinley, who had thrice served, other than high government ministerial posts, as Bhutan’s Prime Minister, first from 1998 to 199n, then a second term from 2003 to 2004 and then the third time during Bhutan’s Democratic Era, from 2008 to 2013. Mr. Jigmi Thinley is attending COP17 – the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which is began held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 17 August and closing on 28 August.
Mr. Jigmi Thinley spoke about his first impressions when he first visited Mongolia – a land of his childhood dream, in 1990 heading a delegation of Bhutanese Buddhist delegation to the Eighth General Conference. He highly valued the contribution of ABCP in brining Buddhist countries and Buddhists together under one organisation to promote global peace and harmony. Mr. Jigmi Thinley also noted the big contribution of the present President Most Ven. D. Choijamts in leading the organisation with wisdom and vision and pointed out that the membership of Bhutan is important in promoting collaboration between the Bhutanese and Mongolian Buddhists, and also promoting close ties with the Buddhists in all other ABCP member countries. He also observed the revival of Buddhism in the country as compared to 1990.
Most Ven. D. Choijamts, ABCP President summed up the past turbulent history of Buddhism in Mongolia, especially during the 70 years of communist rule in the country and pointed out that with the democratic changes in Mongolia in 1990, Buddhism has begun to revive and grow, although a lot of work needs to be done to bring the compassionate teachings of Buddha to the younger generation who are greatly influenced by western ideology. The ABCP President noted the important contribution to promoting better ties and cooperation between Mongolia and Bhutan by the state visit of His Majesty the King and Queen of Bhutan to Mongolia in 2024. Most Ven. D. Choijamts noted the similarities, but slight minor differences in Mahayana Buddhism in the two countries. ABCP President noted that the ABCP today pursues two key objectives, one to raise collective voice of Buddhists against all forms of violence, and to promote Buddhist ethics.
ABCP President welcoming the former Prime MInister of Bhutan
Former Prime Minister of Bhutan (left) and ABCP President
ABCP President’s office – left, Former Bhuranese Prime Minister with his spouse
