As Bhutanese youth dive into K-pop and western trends, an intriguing shift is happening on the other side of social media. Foreigners are developing a growing passion for Bhutanese culture, going as far as learning the national language and dancing to Bhutanese music. One remarkable example is a South Korean woman who not only performs Bhutanese dances but is also dedicated to learning Dzongkha.

Bhutan will need USD 26bn to construct hydropower plants to meet domestic demand by 2040. Bhutan’s domestic energy demand is estimated to increase to 4,000 megawatts by 2040 from the current requirement of 1,000 megawatts. The country currently has an installed power generation capacity of 2,300 megawatts during the rainy season, which drops to around 400 megawatts during the dry season. At the Bhutan Innovation Forum panel on harnessing Bhutan’s renewable energy potential, the Managing Director of the Druk Green Power Corporation along with the World Bank’s Vice President for Southeast Asia discussed ideas and the way forward for Bhutan...

Climate financing from rich countries to poor countries should reach a trillion US dollars annually by 2030. This was shared by Economist Lord Nicholas H. Stern at the Bhutan Innovation Forum while speaking on managing climate risks and promoting sustainability. He noted that current climate financing stands at around 150 to 200 billion US dollars per year. Lord Stern, also a member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, said it is important to set the right conditions, build confidence, and secure investments to address and adapt to climate change effectively.

During the Bhutan Innovation Forum held in Paro, discussions emerged on GMC’s potential to drive Bhutan’s growth by ensuring an even distribution of tourists across seasons and regions. The panellists highlighted that this will be carried out without comprising the country’s commitment to high-value, low-impact tourism policy. Likewise, film tourism also surfaced as a new opportunity for Bhutan at the event.

As the highly anticipated second edition of the Snowman Race approaches, Bhutanese athletes are finalizing their preparations. This year, seven out of the 18 selected participants are from Bhutan. Their training is in full swing as they prepare for what is called one of the world’s toughest races. Notably, this edition will feature a new route starting from Laya, instead of the previous starting point at Gasa Dzong, and will end at Bumthang.

“You need to understand who you are and who you want to attract and be focused on the kind of talent you want to attract.” This is one of the key takeaway points from the ongoing Bhutan Innovation Forum in Paro. Day two’s panel on attracting global talents and fostering entrepreneurship saw international and local panellists discuss how Bhutan can attract global and retain local talents to foster entrepreneurship without changing the core values of the country.