Bhutan

Bhutan’s Zhung Dratshang, the country's central monastic authority, is preparing the Drubchen Kagyed Wanga, a rare month-long spiritual empowerment ceremony; The ritual will bring together monks and devotees from all over the country

A new water supply project in Doksum was launched to end chronic drinking water shortages: a gravity-fed pipeline and an upgraded storage and distribution network was installed for a reliable year-round water supply for local households

Bhutan’s education minister has called for a ban on social media use under 16, arguing that excessive online exposure is harming students mental health; It would introduce age-based restrictions to create a safer digital environment for young people.

Jigmeling Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre is undergoing a major expansion to improve treatment and rehabilitation of injured and rescued wild animals; The upgraded facility will strengthen veterinary services to support wildlife conservation

National Statistics Bureau Bhutan is pushing to centralize data systems by integrating fragmented databases across ministries into a single platform, aiming to improve data sharing and support evidence-based policymaking and digital governance

A new helicopter airlift services is now evacuating patients from remote highland regions, where rugged terrain limits emergency care; The system enables rapid transport to hospitals, and local leaders are now calling for attendants during evacuations

The Bhutan National Identity has been launched; the secure digital wallet grants greater control to users over their personal data allowing the storage of sensitive information in a trusted digital environment

Clean cooking, improved heating systems and biogas programmes to cut emissions and expand climate finance opportunities are the climate projects launched with the support of Singapore to support Bhutan’s carbon market and low-carbon development

The Choeten will become the spiritual centrepiece of Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan’s special administrative region: a low-carbon city blending green infrastructure and digital innovation with Buddhist values and an holistic urban design

Kabesa Local Area Plan is nearing completion after 15-years due to land disputes and revisions; The plan will regulate zoning and infrastructure in an area long affected by unplanned housing, informal land use and stalled construction near the capital