New York City: The 24th Annual Conference of the Tibetan Associations of North America was successfully held from 4 to 7 September 2026 in New York City. The conference was attended by the Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration, two incumbent members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from North and South America constituency, and 51 delegates representing 25 Tibetan associations across the United States and Canada. The meeting was also attended by the Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet, the Director of the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC), a representative of the Tibet Fund, and the Representative of the Office of Tibet for North America, along with a staff.
On the evening of 4 September, participants from different states across North America gathered at Phuntsok Deshe Hall for introductions and a reception. The conference formally commenced on 5 September with the lighting of the lamp in the presence of the Secretary of DIIR, the Representative of the Office of Tibet, the two members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, and other distinguished guests. This was followed by the singing of the Tibetan national anthem and observed a minute of silence in mourning for the Tibetan patriots.
The Representative, Dr Namgyal Choedup, spoke on the significance of the annual conference of Tibetan communities in North America. He also reiterated the Kashag’s announcement concerning the “Ethnic Unity and Progress law” and its appeal to observe the fourth week of September each year as a Tibetan Identity Preservation Week, dedicated to preserving and strengthening the unique linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage of the Tibetan people. The two members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the Secretary of DIIR also delivered speeches on the occasion. Following this, Sonam Topden, President of the New York Tibetan Community, delivered a welcome address and introduced the community organisation.
During the three-day conference, held from 5 to 7 September, participants deliberated on a range of issues concerning the Tibetan community and the Tibetan cause. The discussions covered His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s security; measures and guidelines for conducting religious services for the welfare and well-being of the Tibetan people and the preservation of their spiritual heritage; advocacy campaigns; preparations for commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2008 Tibetan Uprising in 2028; weekend Tibetan language schools; the Tibetan Voluntary Contribution Book (Green Book or Chatrel); the Solidarity Partnership (Blue Book); the promotion of Social, Emotional, and Ethical (SEE) Learning; and other educational programmes.
Following extensive deliberations on the 10 agenda items, the conference adopted 27 resolutions. A special resolution was also passed to express solidarity with the 168 Tibetans, both inside and outside Tibet, who have sacrificed their lives, bodies, and possessions for the cause of Tibet and its people. The resolution further expressed admiration for the courage of Tibetans living in Tibet and solidarity with them in the hardships they continue to endure.
The conference concluded on 7 September with a closing ceremony. The Representative expressed gratitude to all the participating Tibetan community organisations and formally announced the conclusion of the conference until its next meeting.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC
