Dharamshala: Following the appointment of Ven. Thubten Wangchen as the new Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration to Latin America, the handover and takeover of responsibilities between the incoming and outgoing Representatives was held over two days, on 18 and 19 May 2026, at Tibet House Brasil, the Office of the Representative in São Paulo, Brazil.
Over these two days, outgoing Representative Jigme Tsering formally handed over office documents and assets to the new Representative.
On the evening of 18 May, an informal official dinner was organised, during which the new Representative was introduced to members of the Board of Directors of the Tibet House Brasil, with the aim of ensuring continued support and collaboration.
On the morning of 20 May, the formal ceremony marking the transfer of responsibilities between the outgoing and incoming Representatives was held. The chief guests at the ceremony were former Brazilian Congressman Walter Feldman and São Paulo Human Rights Secretary Soninha Francine. The event was presided over by Lama Rinchen, President of Tibet House Brasil.
Dr Namgyal Choedup, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration to North America, attended virtually and served as the official witness to the handover between the outgoing and incoming Representatives.
Following the ceremony, guests, friends of Tibet, and staff of Tibet House Brasil presented flowers and ceremonial scarves (khatags) to both the outgoing and incoming Representatives as gestures of goodwill.
On the evenings of 19 and 20 May, members of the Latin America Himalaya–Tibet Friendship Association and Tibet Support Groups held online meetings to discuss plans for future collaborative work.
On 21 May, a meeting was held with Prof. Lia Diskin, Director of Palas Athena, during which the new Representative was introduced and continued support for the work of Tibet House Brasil was requested.
That same evening, outgoing Representative Jigme Tsering departed from São Paulo Airport for India.
– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Brasil
