King Jigme of Bhutan has announced that the inaugural Bhutan Innovation Forum will take place from October 1-3, 2024, at the Dungkar Dzong in Paro. 

According to a press statement, the 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.

King Jigme

“The Mindfulness City will be unlike any other, rooted in the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH). It will be a city that fosters conscious and sustainable businesses, inspired by our spiritual heritage and reflecting the unique Bhutanese identity,” says King Jigme.

The statement adds that 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 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, focussing on investments that drive sustainability.

More than 80 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. 

The registration is now open, with early-bird rates available for corporate leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and students.

The statement adds that the speakers include Evan Spiegel, 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, former President of Columbia, Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Group, Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner & Creative Director of BIG and Matthieu Ricard, a philosopher and Buddhist monk.

Evan Spiegel

“I am honoured to join the inaugural Innovation Forum in Bhutan, inspired by His Majesty’s vision for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. I am excited to discuss how mindfulness can create space for innovation and how technology can play a supportive role in this process,” says Spiegel of Snapchat and a keynote speaker. 

Joseph E Stiglitz

“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,” says Stiglitz.

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.

The statement adds that registration is now open, with early-bird rates available for corporate leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and students.