Penpa Tsering

Penpa was elected to the Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for two terms from 1996 and 2006.^[9] Following this he became the speaker of the 14th and 15th Parliament between 2008 and 2016.^[5] In July 2016, he was appointed the 'North America Representative of the Dalai Lama, Representative to Office of Tibet, Washington, D.C.' for a year.^[9][10][11] He formally took charge on 29 August 2016.^[7] As Representative, his duties involved meeting leaders and officials,^[12] chairing cultural events related to Tibet, and addressing Tibetans and Tibet related issues.^[13][14]

Penpa was runner up in the Sikyong election in 2016.^[15] He announced his candidacy for 2021 election on 3 September 2020.^[16] During the 2021 CTA general election, Penpa secured 34,324 votes, 5,417 more than Kaydor Aukatsang (Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang) who secured the second highest votes; a total of 63,991 Tibetans voted.^[17][18] Penpa has spoken about "resolving the issue of Tibet", "taking care of the welfare of Tibetans in exile",^[19] pursuing "all possible ways to communicate with China,"^[20] "facilitat(ing) a visit of the Dalai Lama to China,"^[21] and advocating for the release of "Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and all other political prisoners".^[22][23]

Penpa was sworn in as Sikyong on 27 May 2021 in the presence of the Dalai Lama who attended virtually.^[24] The oath was administered by Chief Justice Commissioner Sonam Norbu Dagpo.^[24] He often quotes the middle way and guidance of Dalai Lama.^[24]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Penpa Tsering.

• Address by Mr. Penpa Tsering, Speaker, Tibetan Parliament in Exile. Official website of the Central Tibetan Administration. 6 March 2012.
• Penpa Tsering, le Tibétain en mission contre le «dragon», Arnaud Vaulerin, Libération, 23 December 2023.