Farewell Message by Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki

 
　　　I will be completing my tenure as Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bhutan on September 29^th, upon my appointment as the Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom.
 
　　　I served as Ambassador to Bhutan approximately for two years. During my tenure, I visited Bhutan six times and I was able to deepen Japan’s friendly and cooperative relationship with Bhutan.
 
　　　There have been many high-level visits, such as by Mr. Shunsuke Takei, then State Minister for Foreign Affairs(November 2022), by Mr. Akihiro Nishimura, then Minister of the Environment(August 2023), and by Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa(March 2024).
 
　　　Last year, we commemorated a significant milestone - the 35th anniversary of the dispatch of JICA volunteers to Bhutan. At the commemorative reception held during the annual“Japan week” in Bhutan,  we had the tremendous honour to be graced by the presence of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, as well as His Excellency Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, and other esteemed guests. Together, we celebrated the remarkable contributions of JICA volunteers, who have played an instrumental role in deepening our bonds of friendship.
 
　　　The construction of the Royal Centre for Infectious Diseases (RCID) in Gidakom Hospital started during my tenure. This project is making progress steadily, alongside Japan's ongoing support for Bhutan's development across a range of sectors, including human resources development, agricultural and rural development and infrastructure, among others. These assistants are aimed at contributing to Bhutan's own efforts to realise a self-reliant and sustainable future.
 
　　　I am deeply grateful to all of you for your kind cooperation during my tenure. I hope that the relationship between Japan and Bhutan will continue to flourish in the future. I sincerely wish you all the best for your continued good health and future success.