The forum was graced by Her Majesty Gyalum Tseyring Pem Wangchuck and Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Chodren Wangchuck, President and Patron of the GNH Centre Bhutan. 

Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Choden said, “The GNH Centre views this gathering, the first of many Global GNH Forums, as a powerful testament to the growing global recognition of Bhutan’s homegrown philosophy of Gross National Happiness. We are not here merely to speak of happiness, but to affirm its rightful place at the heart of human development.”

In attendance were former Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, current ministers, scholars, policymakers, business leaders, youth representatives, and civil society advocates from across the globe who came together to reflect on how happiness and wellbeing can guide a new era of development beyond GDP.

The opening also witnessed two significant launches promoting spiritual and economic wellbeing.

Her Majesty Gyalum Tseyring Pem Wangchuck unveiled The Precious Garland of Incarnations, composed by His Eminence Trulku Kunga Tenzin, a literary tribute to Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural lineage.

HRH Ashi Kesang Chodren Wangchuck launched Economía Humana by Ferran Caudet, a work exploring human-centred economies and wellbeing. Her Highness also unveiled the first Global GNH Forum website, which will serve as the principal site for all matters related to the Global GNH Forum.

Over the course of four days, the Global GNH Forum brought together participants for a rich flow of keynotes, dialogues, and interactive sessions. The first day was designed to inspire, offering reflections on the deeper meaning of national service, the role of businesses in wellbeing economies, and the global evolution of the GNH movement. Conversations explored how Bhutan’s philosophy has influenced international approaches to development, complemented by an exchange on human-centred economic thinking. 

The second day focused on showcasing Bhutan’s lived experience of applying GNH in action, beginning with mindfulness practice and continuing with discussions on balancing ecological resilience with national priorities, the challenges and opportunities of happiness in the digital era, and thematic exchanges on climate justice, regenerative cities, youth leadership, media, civil society, and community-led wellbeing. Breakout sessions later provided space for co-creation, allowing participants to craft actionable pathways for GNH-inspired change.

The final day was dedicated to the future Bhutan is aspiring toward, with an emphasis on innovation, technology, and new wellbeing frontiers. The day opened with insights on urban well-being and sustainable growth before expanding into conversations on regenerative finance, blockchain-enabled well-being systems, and the linkages between GNH and UN development goals. These discussions culminated in explorations of tokenisation and emerging digital frameworks designed to uphold GNH values, reflecting Bhutan’s commitment to shaping a future where technology and innovation deepen human happiness and ecological harmony.

A National Celebration and a Sacred Closing

On 11 November, forum participants joined the people of Bhutan at Changlimithang Stadium to celebrate the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, an occasion marked by national pride, cultural performances, and deep gratitude for His Majesty’s visionary leadership.

In the afternoon, they visited Semtokha Dzong to light butter lamps, offering prayers for peace, wellbeing, and collective harmony.

The forum concluded with a gala dinner that celebrated the success of the inaugural event and acknowledged the contributions of all speakers, participants, and Bhutanese hosts.

The inaugural Global GNH Forum showcased Bhutan’s unique blend of tradition, innovation, and compassionate leadership. It reminded the world that development can and must place human wellbeing at its core.

Through keynotes, cultural exchanges, and collaborative learning, the forum inspired a renewed global commitment: to build societies where happiness, harmony, and humanity guide progress.