Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama announced on Wednesday that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will possess the authority to recognise his future reincarnation. This declaration puts an end to speculation regarding whether he would have a successor after his death.

The Gaden Phodrang Trust was established by the Office of the Dalai Lama in 2015.

The statement, made by the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, also known as Lhama Thondup, on 21st May 2025, was released by his office on Wednesday, four days ahead of his 90th birthday. A 5.57-minute video of his speech in Tibetan was also made public.