Bhutan to host more than 80 global thought leaders at its inaugural Innovation Forum
(Thimphu, Bhutan, August 28, 2024); His Majesty King Jigme of Bhutan has announced the inaugural Bhutan Innovation Forum, set to take place from October 1-3, 2024, at the Dungkar Dzong in Paro. This landmark event will bring together some of the brightest minds from around the globe to explore the intersections of mindfulness, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, as Bhutan embarks on creating the world’s first “Mindfulness City.” This visionary city will integrate green technologies and mindful innovation to build a community grounded in harmony, well-being, and happiness.
“The Mindfulness City will be unlike any other, rooted in the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH),” said His Majesty King Jigme. “It will be a city that fosters conscious and sustainable businesses, inspired by our spiritual heritage and reflecting the unique Bhutanese identity.”
The Bhutan Innovation Forum is designed as a platform to generate ideas and chart pathways for realizing this ambitious vision. Leading global thinkers will converge in Paro this October to discuss how Bhutan can evolve into a knowledge-based economy, where mindful innovation aligns with holistic well-being and economic progress. Conversations will explore the connections between art, technology, and mindful entrepreneurship, focusing on investments that drive sustainability. More than 80 distinguished speakers are expected, covering diverse topics such as integrating mindfulness into education and leadership, leveraging blockchain for knowledge economies, utilizing AI in digital services and governance, promoting ESG investments for climate resilience, and developing carbon markets for sustainable growth.
Picture Courtesy : By Arrangement
Speakers include Evan Spiegel, the Co-Founder and CEO of Snapchat; Joseph E Stiglitz, economist and Nobel Laureate; Nicholas Stern, Economist and Member of the UK House of Lords and Nobel Laureate; Richard J Roberts, Molecular Biologist and Nobel Laureate; Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, a Buddhist scholar, author and filmmaker; Juan Manuel Santos, the former President of Columbia; Anil Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance Group; Bjarke Ingels, the Founding Partner & Creative Director of BIG; Matthieu Ricard, a philosopher and buddhist monk; among others.
“I’m honored to join the inaugural Innovation Forum in Bhutan, inspired by His Majesty’s vision for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators,” said Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snap Inc. and one of the event’s keynote speakers. “I’m excited to discuss how mindfulness can create space for innovation and how technology can play a supportive role in this process.” Joseph Stiglitz emphasized the transformative potential of the Forum: “The Bhutan Innovation
Forum could redefine society’s most critical asset—our collective learning capabilities. It’s poised to cultivate human capital and build a learning society, all while remaining true to Bhutan’s commitments to mindfulness and collective well-being.”
Tarayana Center, P.O.Box 126, GPO Thimphu, Bhutan
T +975 2 323251 | F +975 2 323695 | hosts@tourism.gov.bt
The concept of the Mindfulness City, first introduced by the King in December 2023, highlights
Bhutan’s position as a global leader in sustainability. As the world’s only carbon-negative country, Bhutan offers a powerful model for sustainable development. This city, which will welcome both Bhutanese and international contributors, aims to be a hub of mindful innovation and a beacon for sustainable living.
Registration is now open, with early-bird rates available for corporate leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and students.