AGP Executive Report

Research Partnerships: Bhutan and the Australian National University launched a Hub for Bhutan Studies to support research, evidence-based policymaking and training for Bhutanese civil servants and researchers. Wildlife Science: A newly collared snow leopard brings Bhutan’s total to three; GPS tracking will help researchers understand the cats’ movements and guide conservation. Smart Borders: Gelephu’s new immigration terminal uses facial-recognition e-gates, cutting clearance for registered travellers to under two minutes. Campus Research: Sherubtse College and India’s Fazl Ali College held a symposium on science, sustainability and research collaboration. Digital Government: At an ADB procurement conference in Thimphu, a Malaysian technology firm shared how AI can help public agencies automate routine procurement tasks and analyse information. Renewable Energy: Voith Hydro won the equipment contract for Bhutan’s 90MW Jomori hydropower project, which will have two generating units.

Digital Border Services: Gelephu’s new immigration terminal lets registered Bhutanese and Indian travellers clear facial-recognition e-gates in under two minutes, replacing waits at staffed counters. Research Collaboration: Sherubtse College and India’s Fazl Ali College held a joint symposium in Kanglung on science, sustainability and community resilience, with students joining discussions and research presentations. Renewable Energy: Druk Hydro Energy awarded Voith Hydro the contract for equipment and commissioning at the 90MW Jomori hydropower project in Samdrup Jongkhar. AI in Government: At an ADB conference in Thimphu, Malaysian firm CDC presented how AI could help automate routine public-procurement tasks and support decisions. Himalayan Risk: ICIMOD scientists report satellite images detected a mountainside shifting before Nepal’s deadly August avalanche, pointing to a potential role for satellite monitoring in early warnings across the region.

Digital Border Services: Gelephu’s new immigration terminal lets registered Bhutanese and Indian travellers use facial-recognition e-gates, cutting routine clearance to under two minutes. Research Links: Sherubtse College hosted a joint symposium with India’s Fazl Ali College, bringing faculty and students together to share research on science, sustainability and regional challenges. AI in Government: At an ADB procurement conference in Thimphu, Malaysian firm CDC presented how AI can automate routine tasks and support public purchasing decisions. Digital Inclusion: Many older Bhutanese still struggle with smartphones and online services because of limited digital skills, language barriers and reliance on family for help. Renewable Energy: Voith Hydro won the equipment contract for Bhutan’s 90MW Jomori hydropower project in Samdrup Jongkhar, which will use two 45MW units.

Research: Sherubtse College and India’s Fazl Ali College held a joint symposium in Kanglung on science, sustainability and society, bringing faculty and students together to share research and explore collaboration. AI in Government: At an ADB conference in Thimphu, Malaysia’s CDC presented its AI-supported public procurement system, highlighting how automation can help officials assess information and make decisions. STEM: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, showcasing the country’s young innovators. Renewable Energy: Voith Hydro will supply equipment for Bhutan’s 90MW Jomori hydropower project in Samdrup Jongkhar, adding two generating units. Digital Access: Elderly Bhutanese say limited digital skills and language barriers make smartphones and online public services difficult to use. Himalayan Safety: Scientists say AI could scan satellite data for signs of unstable slopes and help provide earlier warnings of disasters across the region, including Bhutan.

Renewable Energy: Druk Hydro Energy has awarded Voith Hydro the equipment contract for Bhutan’s 90MW Jomori hydropower project, adding two generating units in Samdrup Jongkhar. Himalayan Early Warnings: Scientists say AI could scan satellite data for unstable slopes and flag avalanche risks across the Himalayas, potentially giving communities in Bhutan and neighbouring countries more time to prepare. Digital Access: Bhutan’s move to online public services is leaving some elderly residents struggling with language barriers and limited phone skills, highlighting the need for support alongside digital expansion. Digital Innovation: A blockchain project is exploring digital solutions for 21 households in Rukha. STEM: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, giving the country’s young innovators an international platform. Sustainable Farming: A Tsirang farmer’s work in kiwifruit cultivation, organic farming and agro-processing has received international environmental recognition.

Renewable Energy: Voith Hydro has won the equipment contract for Bhutan’s 90MW Jomori hydropower project in Samdrup Jongkhar, which will use two 45MW units and is funded by a concessional JICA loan. Himalayan Monitoring: Satellite data showed a Nepal mountainside shifting by as much as 40cm before a deadly avalanche. Researchers say AI could help scan mountain slopes for warning signs, potentially giving communities across the Himalayas, including Bhutan, more time to prepare. Digital Access: Bhutan’s elderly residents say limited digital skills and language barriers make mobile banking and online government services difficult to use, leaving many dependent on family for help. Young Innovators: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge 2026 in South Korea. Rural Technology: A blockchain pilot involving 21 Rukha households is exploring digital wallets and community services, but practical benefits are still being assessed.

Clean Energy: Druk Hydro Energy has awarded Voith Hydro the equipment contract for Bhutan’s 90MW Jomori hydropower project in Samdrup Jongkhar. The JICA-financed scheme will have two 45MW units, with Voith responsible for turbines, generators, installation and commissioning. Digital Access: As Bhutan expands online public services, many older people struggle with smartphones and apps because of limited digital skills and language barriers, often relying on family members for help. AI and Climate Safety: Researchers say AI could scan satellite data to flag unstable Himalayan slopes and glaciers, potentially giving communities hours or days to prepare for disasters. The system would need coordinated development and has not yet been deployed. Village Technology: A research project involving 21 households in Rukha is exploring blockchain-based wallets and community services, but it remains at the planning stage and residents’ benefits are still uncertain. STEM: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge 2026 in South Korea, showcasing the country’s young science and technology talent.

Digital Inclusion: Bhutan’s shift to online public services is leaving many older people behind, who struggle with smartphones, language barriers and basic tasks such as accessing government documents. Community Technology: A blockchain pilot with 21 households in Wangdue Phodrang is exploring digital wallets and community services, but practical benefits remain unproven as researchers assess local needs. Climate Tech: Experts say AI could scan satellite data for signs of unstable Himalayan slopes and give communities, including in Bhutan, more time to respond to disasters. Glacier Safety: Bhutan’s NCHM says a pilot siphon system has achieved stable flow at Thorthormi Glacial Lake, part of efforts to manage glacial-lake risks. STEM: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea.

Digital Access: Bhutan’s shift to online public services is leaving many older people behind, with limited digital skills, language barriers and dependence on family members making basic tasks difficult. Disaster Technology: AI could scan satellite data for signs of unstable Himalayan slopes and flag danger earlier; the proposed warning system could help protect communities in Bhutan and neighbouring countries. Engineering: Bhutan’s NCHM reports stable flow from a pilot siphon system at Thorthormi Glacial Lake, an innovative approach to managing glacial-lake risk. STEM: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, showcasing the country’s young science and technology talent. Sports Science: Bhutan and Malaysia’s new Olympic partnership includes technical exchange, athlete development and sports science.

Mountain Safety: AI could scan satellite data for accelerating glacier slopes and give Himalayan communities, including those in Bhutan, more time to prepare for disasters. Sustainable Farming: A farmer who moved from Thimphu to Tsirang is being recognised for promoting kiwifruit, organic farming and agro-processing to create rural livelihoods while protecting the environment. Glacier Monitoring: Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology says its pilot siphon system is achieving stable water flow at Thorthormi Glacial Lake. Food Technology: Haa is set to host Bhutan’s first flow-through, decoupled aquaponics prototype. Student Robotics: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, placing 47th among 185 countries with a robot designed for wildfire response.

Digital Innovation: At a regional procurement conference in Thimphu, a Malaysian technology firm shared how an AI pilot cut government procurement call-centre workloads by 15–18%, highlighting practical uses of AI in public services. Robotics: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, finishing 47th among 185 countries with a robot built to tackle simulated wildfires. Climate Technology: Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology says its pilot siphon system at Thorthormi Glacial Lake has achieved stable water flow, a step in managing glacial-lake risks. Smart Farming: Haa is set to host Bhutan’s first flow-through decoupled aquaponics prototype, bringing fish and crop production together. Health Research: Bhutan’s cancer registry recorded 3,172 new cases and 1,461 deaths from 2019 to 2022, data intended to guide prevention, screening and care. Consumer Tech: Indian brand boAt has entered Bhutan with audio products, smartwatches and charging solutions.

Robotics: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, placing 47th among 185 countries with a robot designed to tackle simulated wildfires. Climate Engineering: Bhutan’s National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology says its pilot siphon system at Thorthormi Glacial Lake has achieved stable water flow, an important step in managing glacial-lake risks. Sustainable Food: Haa is set to host Bhutan’s first flow-through decoupled aquaponics prototype, combining fish farming and plant cultivation in a water-efficient system. Digital Government: At an ADB procurement conference in Thimphu, regional officials explored responsible uses of AI in public purchasing; a Malaysian pilot cut procurement call-centre workloads by 15–18%.

Robotics: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, placing 47th among 185 countries with a robot designed to tackle simulated wildfires. AI in Public Services: A Thimphu procurement conference brought officials and technology firms together to discuss responsible AI use; a Malaysian pilot cut procurement call-centre workloads by 15–18%. Climate Resilience: Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology reported stable flow from its pilot siphon system at Thorthormi Glacial Lake, while regional analysis warns that extreme mountain events can threaten hydropower projects. Food Technology: Haa is set to host Bhutan’s first flow-through, decoupled aquaponics prototype. Consumer Tech: Indian brand boAt has entered Bhutan with audio devices, smartwatches and charging products.

Robotics: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, placing 47th among 185 countries with a student-built robot designed for a wildfire-response challenge. Glacial Safety: The National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology’s pilot siphon system has achieved stable flow at Thorthormi Glacial Lake, a step in managing risks from glacial lakes. Food Innovation: Haa is set to host Bhutan’s first flow-through, decoupled aquaponics prototype, combining fish farming and crop production. AI in Government: A regional e-procurement conference in Thimphu explored responsible AI use; a Malaysian pilot discussed there cut procurement call-centre workloads by 15–18%. Health Research: Bhutan’s cancer registry recorded 3,172 new cases and 1,461 deaths from 2019 to 2022, data intended to guide prevention, early detection and care.

Public-Sector AI: At an ADB procurement conference in Thimphu, Malaysian firm CDC shared how a conversational AI pilot cut call-centre workload by 15–18%, as officials from 28 countries discussed responsible technology use. Bhutanese Robotics: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea. Its wildfire-response robot helped the student team place 47th among 185 countries. Climate Technology: A pilot siphon system at Thorthormi Glacial Lake achieved stable flow, while Haa is set to host Bhutan’s first flow-through aquaponics prototype. Health Innovation: DHI and Viome are partnering to build health-tech and AI capabilities in Bhutan. The country’s cancer registry, meanwhile, recorded 3,172 new cases from 2019 to 2022, data intended to inform prevention, screening and care.

Robotics: Team Bhutan won two awards at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea, finishing 47th among 185 countries with a robot built to tackle simulated wildfires. Digital Access: At a Thimphu symposium, Bhutan’s Government Technology Agency joined regional discussions on making digital services affordable and ensuring AI does not deepen inequality. Health: Bhutan’s cancer registry recorded 3,172 new cases and 1,461 deaths from 2019 to 2022, highlighting the need for prevention, early detection and better care. Climate Technology: A pilot siphon system at Thorthormi Glacial Lake achieved stable water flow, while Haa is set to host Bhutan’s first flow-through aquaponics prototype. Health-Tech: DHI and Viome are partnering to develop health technology and AI capabilities in Bhutan. Public Procurement: A regional conference in Thimphu explored AI use in government purchasing; a Malaysian pilot cut procurement call-centre workloads by 15–18 per cent.