As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies reshape economies and societies, Bhutan is bringing its philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) into international discussions on sustainable and inclusive development.
The three-day Global GNH Forum 2026, organised by the Gross National Happiness Centre Bhutan in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is examining how traditional wisdom can guide modern development.
Held under the theme Traditional Wisdom for Well-Being in an Age of Accelerated Development, the forum brings together policymakers, academics and cultural practitioners to explore alternatives to purely economic measures of progress.
Her Royal Highness Princess Kesang Chodren Wangchuck, President and Patron of the GNH Centre Bhutan, attended the opening ceremony and emphasised the importance of individual and collective actions in creating meaningful change.
Discussions focus on ethical leadership, regenerative tourism, environmental sustainability and well-being economies, alongside the implications of artificial intelligence, biotechnology and digital transformation.
UNDP Bhutan Deputy Resident Representative Fadhil Bakeer Markar highlighted that development cannot follow a universal formula, as countries must pursue pathways suited to their individual circumstances and aspirations.
Participants also examined how compassion, cultural values and respect for nature can inform responses to climate change, inequality and growing environmental pressures.
The opening day featured the launch of a book titled Gross National Happiness and a UNDP report, reinforcing the forum’s emphasis on knowledge-sharing and policy dialogue.
Building on the inaugural forum held in Paro last year, the gathering is expected to develop into an annual platform for international cooperation.
For Bhutan, the initiative represents an opportunity to contribute its distinctive development philosophy to global debates about technological progress.
The central message is that innovation and economic advancement must remain aligned with human dignity, environmental responsibility and collective well-being.
