AGP Executive Report

Himalayan Stewardship: A regional yak herders’ network launched at Bhutan’s Royal Highland Festival will connect communities in Bhutan, India and Nepal to tackle shrinking grazing lands, climate pressures and declining yak populations. Faith and Community: Preparations are underway for the Nov. 1 gathering of 108 Jangchub Chortens in Gelephu, a major Buddhist offering expected to draw visitors from across Bhutan. Living Heritage: Two Bhutanese projects received a combined $32,500 to document appliqué thangka-making and research early Buddhist wall paintings near Taktsang Monastery. Textiles on the Runway: Thai designer Fah Chakshuvej brought maroon, flower-patterned kira together with contemporary fashion at her first Thimphu show. Culture in the Classroom: Bumthang schools are competing to revive theatrical traditions, bringing local performance heritage to a new generation.

Community Life: Fifteen India-supported projects in Mongar, including more than 65 kilometres of roads, irrigation canals and two bridges, aim to make daily life easier for farmers, students and families. Highland Heritage: A new network for yak herders in Bhutan, India and Nepal will help communities share solutions to shrinking grazing lands, climate pressures and declining yak populations. Faith & Culture: Bhutan is preparing for the November 1 offering of 108 Jangchub Chortens in Gelephu, a national gathering rooted in Buddhist faith and gratitude to the King. Living Traditions: Two Bhutanese heritage projects received US$32,500 to document appliqué thangka-making and study historic Buddhist wall paintings at Taktsang. In Thimphu, a Thai designer brought kira weaving to the runway, pairing traditional textiles with contemporary fashion. Inclusion: Draktsho is marking 25 years of empowering persons with disabilities through creative work and opportunity.

Faith and Community: Bhutan is preparing for the November 1 unveiling of 108 Jangchub Chortens at Gelephu Mindfulness City, a national Buddhist offering expected to draw thousands. Police anticipate about 40,300 vehicles and are planning staggered travel, parking and shuttles. Disability Inclusion: Draktsho marks 25 years of supporting people with disabilities. Founder Rigzin Padma Tsogyal began in a garage with eight students, making flowers; the initiative grew as she recognised their wider potential. Living Heritage: Two Bhutanese projects received US$32,500 to document appliqué thangka-making and investigate ancient Buddhist wall paintings near Taktsang Monastery. Textiles and Enterprise: A Thimphu fashion show by Thai designer Fah Chakshuvej brought maroon, flower-patterned kira onto a contemporary runway. Separately, women founders shared the challenges of building businesses in fields including landscaping, software and food processing. Theatre: Bumthang schools are competing to revive a local theatrical tradition.

Women in Business: Seven Bhutanese women founders shared how they built businesses in fields from landscaping to technology, while facing barriers to financing, customer confidence and growth. Living Heritage: Two Bhutanese projects received a combined US$32,500 to document traditional appliqué thangka-making and study ancient Buddhist wall paintings near Taktsang Monastery. Fashion: Thai designer Fah Chakshuvej brought Bhutanese textiles to the runway in Thimphu, pairing traditional kira weaving with contemporary designs. Youth and Tradition: Four Bumthang schools staged plays inspired by local rituals, festivals and stories, helping students explore Bhutanese heritage as school theatre becomes less common. Culture and the Future: Bhutan will host the Asia Visionary Summit from November 6 to 8, bringing cultural and spiritual representatives together with leaders in technology, government and business to discuss human development, AI and the environment.

Fashion & Textiles: Thai designer Fah Chakshuvej brought Bhutanese weaving to the runway in Thimphu, pairing contemporary looks with women weaving traditional maroon kira at the centre of his first Bhutan fashion show. Faith & Festivals: Gelephu is preparing for about 40,300 vehicles ahead of the 108 Jangchub Chortens event, with staggered travel schedules, designated parking and free shuttles planned to manage the crowds. Cultural Heritage: Students from four Bumthang schools staged plays on local rituals, festivals and traditions, as organisers work to keep school theatre alive. Food & Health: Health specialists warn that easy access to packaged snacks, sugary drinks and fast food is putting Bhutanese children at risk; overweight rates among 5- to 19-year-olds tripled between 2000 and 2022. Travel: Six friends cycling across Bhutan set out to explore the less-visited east, riding from west to east toward Trashigang and beyond.

Gelephu Travel: A new pedestrian terminal with biometric e-gates is making border crossings faster for registered Bhutanese and Indian travellers. The town is also preparing for about 40,300 vehicles expected at the 108 Jangchub Chortens event, with staggered travel times, parking and shuttles planned to ease congestion. Children’s Health: Health specialists warn that easy access to packaged snacks, sugary drinks and fast food is contributing to unhealthy diets. The share of Bhutanese children aged 5–19 who are overweight tripled between 2000 and 2022. Culture in Schools: Four Bumthang schools staged plays inspired by local rituals and heritage, including Ura’s Yaklha Choedpa, as organisers work to keep theatrical traditions alive among young people. Exploring Bhutan: Six cyclists are riding from west to east, seeking out the quieter roads and lesser-visited communities of eastern Bhutan.

Across Bhutan by Bike: Six friends are cycling west to east, heading beyond the familiar tourist route to explore remote eastern Bhutan. Cultural Revival: Four Bumthang schools staged plays rooted in local rituals and history, including Ura’s performance on the Yaklha Choedpa, as organizers work to keep school theatre alive. Highland Livelihoods: A new Dagala initiative will build a solar-powered milk-processing facility and support yak dairy and fibre products for herding communities. Art and Heritage: Two Royal Textile Academy exhibitions bring together students’ tributes to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and contemporary work inspired by Bhutanese weaving. Women’s Leadership: BCMD is offering individual coaching and mentoring to 57 women in Haa and Dagana to support leadership, public service and entrepreneurship. Buddhist Scholarship: An Oxford workshop gathered international scholars to explore Padmasambhava and the religious and cultural links between Tibet and the wider Himalayan region.

Women’s Tennis: Bhutan opened its Billie Jean King Cup campaign with a 0–3 loss to the Maldives in Islamabad. Cultural Revival: Four Bumthang schools staged plays rooted in local rituals and history, using theatre to keep traditions alive among young people. Youth Health: People aged 15 to 34 made up more than half of Bhutan’s 846 tuberculosis cases in 2025, though the national total fell by 74 from the previous year. Highland Livelihoods: Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck launched a Dagala yak dairy initiative, including a solar-powered milk facility and a community weaving centre. Art and Heritage: Two Royal Textile Academy exhibitions bring students’ tributes to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo together with contemporary work inspired by Bhutanese weaving.

Living Heritage: Four Bumthang schools staged plays on local rituals and traditions, with Ura Central School winning top recognition for its performance on Yaklha Choedpa. Organisers say student theatre can help keep cultural stories alive as such performances become less common. Women’s Sport: Bhutan’s team joined seven nations in Islamabad for the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III tournament, which runs through October 24. Football Development: FIFA pledged USD 25 million to Bhutan over four years for infrastructure and youth and women’s football, and will assess a proposal for a national academy. Highland Livelihoods: Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck launched a Dagala yak dairy initiative, including plans for a solar-powered milk facility and a community weaving centre to support herders and develop yak-fibre products. Art and Identity: New Royal Textile Academy exhibitions pair students’ artworks honouring the Fourth Druk Gyalpo with contemporary designs inspired by Bhutanese weaving.

Highland Livelihoods: Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck launched a Dagala initiative to boost yak dairy and herders’ incomes. A Nu 6 million solar-powered milk facility is planned, while a community weaving centre will develop yak-fibre products. Pilot cheese-making training doubled herders’ incomes. Yak Herders: Bhutan, India and Nepal will launch the first regional yak herders’ network at the Royal Highland Festival in Laya on October 23, creating a platform for sharing knowledge and addressing challenges to livelihoods and traditions. Arts & Heritage: Two Royal Textile Academy exhibitions celebrate the Fourth Druk Gyalpo through student artwork and contemporary textile designs inspired by Bhutanese weaving. Women’s Leadership: BCMD will provide coaching and mentorship to 57 women in Haa and Dagana, supporting their ambitions in politics, local governance and entrepreneurship. Digital Inclusion: Elderly Bhutanese say limited phone skills and language barriers make online services difficult to use, leaving many reliant on family members for help.

Highland Livelihoods: Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck marked the launch of a Dagala yak dairy initiative, including a planned Nu 6 million solar-powered milk facility and a community weaving centre. Pilot cheese-making has already doubled herders’ incomes. Women’s Leadership: BCMD will offer tailored coaching and mentorship to 57 women in Haa and Dagana, supporting paths into politics, local governance and business. Art and Heritage: Two Royal Textile Academy exhibitions honour the Fourth Druk Gyalpo through student artwork and contemporary textile designs inspired by Bhutanese weaving. Digital Access: Elderly Bhutanese say language barriers and limited phone skills make online services difficult to use, leaving many dependent on family for help. Living Traditions: Wangdue Phodrang’s Sha Festival paired cultural performances and local food with cycling and community businesses, while the Jomolhari Mountain Festival launched a Nu 1 million sustainability fund. Historic Homes: An restored manor in Lhuentse has found new life as the Jigme Namgyal Museum, preserving sacred spaces, artefacts and royal history.

Digital Access: Many older Bhutanese struggle with smartphone-based banking and government services because of limited digital skills and language barriers, leaving them reliant on family for help. Highland Heritage: Yak herders from Bhutan, India and Nepal will launch their first regional network at the Royal Highland Festival in Laya on October 23, with Bhutan hosting its secretariat. The group aims to strengthen herders’ livelihoods and preserve traditions. Sport and Community: FIFA plans to provide Bhutan’s football federation USD 25 million over four years for infrastructure, youth and women’s football, while exploring a residential academy. Culture and Conservation: Wangdue Phodrang’s Dragon Fury Race and Sha-Festival paired cycling with local food and performances; the Jomolhari Mountain Festival also launched a sustainability plan with Nu 1 million in seed funding. Living History: An restored historic manor in Lhuentse has found new life as the Jigme Namgyal Museum, while artist Yeshi Pelden brings Bhutanese tradition into contemporary paintings inspired by thangka art. Child Safety: A Gelephu school programme reached 163 students with guidance on personal boundaries, consent and reporting abuse.

Highland Heritage: Yak herders from Bhutan, India and Nepal will launch their first regional network on October 23 at Bhutan’s Royal Highland Festival in Laya, creating a platform for sharing knowledge and supporting mountain livelihoods and traditions. Living Traditions: Wangdue Phodrang’s Sha-Festival paired local food and cultural performances with efforts to preserve the endangered Olep dialect; the Jomolhari Mountain Festival also launched a sustainability plan with Nu 1 million in seed funding. Culture and Creativity: A restored historic manor in Lhuentse has opened as the Jigme Namgyal Museum, preserving sacred spaces and artefacts tied to Bhutan’s royal history. Bumthang-born artist Yeshi Pelden, meanwhile, is reworking Thangka-inspired geometry and symbolism in contemporary paintings. Children’s Safety: A programme at three Gelephu schools reached 163 students with guidance on personal boundaries, respectful behaviour and how to report sexual exploitation or harassment.

Sustainable Farming: Kalyan Mahat’s decade of promoting kiwifruit, organic farming and agro-processing in Tsirang has earned him an international environmental award. Child Safety: A RENEW programme reached 163 students at three Gelephu schools, covering personal safety, consent and how to report abuse and harassment. Living Heritage: Lhuentse’s Jigme Namgyal Museum has opened in a historic manor linked to Pema Lingpa’s descendants and the Wangchuck dynasty. Arts and Faith: Bhutanese artist Yeshi Pelden reworks thangka-inspired geometry in contemporary paintings, while donors have contributed more than Nu 7.2 million to gild Gelephu’s Shivalaya Mandir. Culture and Community: Wangdue Phodrang’s Dragon Fury race and Sha-Festival paired cycling with local food, performances and cultural traditions, including a song promoting the Olep dialect. The Jomolhari Mountain Festival also launched a sustainability plan with Nu 1 million in seed funding for community ownership and conservation.

Women and Accountability: BCCI President Tandy Wangchuk was sentenced to two years after being found guilty of battery and sexual harassment. Women in Business: Seven women-led ventures shared their experiences at Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, discussing the challenges of financing and growing businesses. Living Heritage: Wangdue Phodrang’s Sha Festival is showcasing local products, the Sha-Gi-Locho ritual and an Olep-language song created to help preserve the endangered dialect. Arts and Tradition: New exhibitions feature Bhutanese textiles and the legacy of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, while Trongsa’s Monpa community is working to keep its Kulungma Osa tradition alive. Culture and Sustainability: The Jomolhari Mountain Festival marked a milestone in sustainability, and international runners are preparing for the 185-kilometre Snowman Race through Bhutan’s high Himalayas. Arts Education: Bhutan and Japan are partnering to promote arts education in schools.

Women in Business: Women-led ventures in landscaping, food, software and digital media shared their experiences at Thimphu’s Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, including challenges securing finance and growing their businesses. Climate Action: Bhutan joined five countries in endorsing a proposed US$500 million fund for economies facing climate shocks. Living Heritage: Wangdue Phodrang’s Sha Festival is spotlighting local products and traditions, including the Olep dialect, which one community is working to preserve through song. Himalayan Art: Two exhibitions opening in Los Angeles feature art from Bhutan and neighbouring Himalayan cultures, spanning sacred objects, textiles and living traditions. Mountain and Nature: Seventeen runners are preparing for the 185-kilometre Snowman Race, while Bhutan has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist for its conservation work.