Washington D.C — Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration embarked on an official visit to the United States to attend the eighth World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet. He addressed the Tibetan community and spoke about the essential goals of the 16th Kashag (cabinet of the Tibetan government-in-exile), and highlighted the administration's political efforts to resolve the Sino-Tibet issue.
Sikyong was warmly welcomed by the Executive members of the Tibetan Association and the Tibetan community of Northern California. Beginning from San Francisco, the visit will entail a journey to Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington DC from June 17 to 30, 2022.
The Tibetan Community based in California was addressed by Sikyong Penpa Tsering at the JFK Auditorium, where they were informed of the essential goals of the 16th Kashag (cabinet of the Tibetan government-in-exile), with a focus on the political efforts made by the administration to resolve the Sino-Tibet issue.
Sikyong also addressed other noteworthy aspects of the 16th Kashag to develop successful worldwide advocacy efforts, such as the creation of VTAG, which acknowledged the importance of young leadership and their active involvement in the Tibetan freedom movement. He reaffirmed Kashag's dedication to fostering communal harmony and enhancing ties between the two while emphasizing transparency and accountability as its critical tenets of governance.
Sikyong described the rationale behind dissolving the Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Negotiations, which had been in place since 1998 and replaced with a Permanent Strategy Committee. He explained how this committee was made up of four members from each relevant department of CTA, who would be responsible for gathering relevant information inside Tibet and news from around the globe and conducting analytical research on the information gathered.
Before departing for Minnesota, Sikyong concluded the engagements in California by addressing the Tibetan Youth. He emphasized the importance of their equal and maximum participation in the administration's ongoing political initiatives. He also explained the key objectives and functions of various departments and the Offices of Tibet under the wing of CTA.
Before leaving, Sikyong met and interacted with representatives of Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Centres, informing them about the status of monastic institutions in exile.
The holding of the eighth WPCT in the United States, a country whose core values are democracy and equality, pays tribute to the vital role played by the US Congress in shaping policy initiatives on Tibet. In addition, attention is also drawn to the commitment of the government-in-exile (CTA) to democratic norms and values. Honorable parliamentarians from many nations, academics, and activists will participate in debates and briefings on the challenges facing Tibet at this WPCT.
Highlights of the eighth WPCT will include a video message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and greetings from Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
