The Health Minister Dasho Dechen Wangmo visited the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research (UWICER) on 13^th September 2021. Addressing the staff and trainees gathered, Lyonpo emphasized how Bhutan managed to avert major public health crisis in the wake of global pandemic due to the unwavering support from the general public by following COVID-19 preventive measures.

Lyonpo highlighted that Bhutan achieved around 94% COVID vaccination and is among few countries that have achieved this feat and she reminded that the Bhutanese citizens united to fight a global pandemic under the benevolent leadership of His Majesty and showcased the world that a small nation like ours with limited public resources can manage and avert major health crisis, if we unite and all work as a responsible citizen. She also thanked the Department of Forests and Park Services for contributing forestry personnel to guard the international borders along with Desuup, RBA and RBP.

She conveyed appreciation on contributions made by the Institute in generation of environment and conservation knowledge through scientific research. And highlighted opportunities to collaborate with the Institute in the implementation of One Health Program, which addresses common threats of human-animal-environment interface and its major threat on health due to environment changes driven by climate change.

The Institute congratulated her on being elected as the President of the 74th World Health Assembly. Women's group of the institute (spouses of staff) also arranged a "Tshokchang" program in appreciation of her pivotal role in women empowerment, hard work and dedication- in Bhutan and at an international level.

The event ended with a campus tour visiting forest expo, wildlife displays, Dendrochronology lab and Ethnobiology museum.