Washington DC: A special reception to celebrate the 91st birthday of His Holiness, the Great 14th Dalai Lama was hosted jointly by the Office of Tibet, International Campaign for Tibet, and Capital Area Tibetan Community on 9 July 2026. Despite the sudden heavy rain, the reception was well attended with senior officials from the staffers from the U.S. administration and Congress, members of the local Tibetan community, and long-standing supporters of the Tibetan cause.

The programme opened with an introduction by Ryan Fioresi, Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet, followed by a moment of silence for Lobga Rangzen, who recently self-immolated in front of the United Nations. Representative Choedup then welcomed the guests and highlighted the convergence of the United States’ 250th anniversary with the global “Year of Compassion” initiative, which honours the Dalai Lama’s universal message of non-violence, interfaith harmony, and human values.

Representative Choedup emphasised that despite facing systematic cultural genocide and forced assimilation laws under the Chinese Communist Party, which recently sparked global protests and the self-immolation outside the UN Headquarters in New York, the Tibetan people refuse to be viewed as helpless victims. Instead, guided by the Dalai Lama’s vision of moral resilience and interdependence, Tibetans remain determined to be the best stewards of their homeland. He urged the international community for stronger engagement by viewing the Tibetan people as active ally and partner in building lasting peace in the world. He concluded his speech by wishing for His Holiness’s excellent health and long life so as to inspire us all to cultivate inner strength and resilience to realise His Holiness’s vision of making this century a century of genuine peace and dialogue.

U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibet and Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes as the Guest of Honour, braved a heavy rainstorm to attend the reception. The Special Coordinator shared reflections on his prior engagements with the Tibetan community and his trips to Dharamshala. He also shared a personal anecdote about the influence of Tibetan tradition and culture on his own family before extending his heartiest greetings for His Holiness’s 91st birthday.

Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, delivered the closing remarks. She highlighted how His Holiness continues to inspire millions of people across different cultures, faiths, and nations through his principled commitment to peace. She added that the greatest birthday gift the community could offer is the collective determination to carry his principles forward. The reception concluded with dinner and a traditional ceremonial cake-cutting, allowing attendees to connect, reflect on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings, and reaffirm their commitment to human dignity and compassion.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC