• A historic milestone was celebrated with 182 graduates receiving awards at the Royal Institute of Management convocation in August 2025.
• Bhutan is addressing challenges in its media landscape, balancing press freedom with practical difficulties journalists face, as revealed in recent surveys.
• A major cross-border investigative techniques workshop is underway in Thimphu, focusing on combating transnational crimes like human trafficking, drug smuggling, and cybercrime, supported by the U.S. Embassy.
• Bhutan continues to strengthen its digital transformation with AI and media literacy training for civil servants.
• A state visit of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck to Vietnam took place from August 18-22, 2025, marking the first-ever such visit, with a joint press release highlighting bilateral relations.
• The Department of Tourism launched a tourist registration system to improve service coordination, while the government unveiled an Industrial Development Roadmap and proposed new fiscal incentives to boost growth.
• Public health issues persist with rising TB and HIV cases, and ongoing emphasis on healthy lifestyles due to the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
• Bhutan is exploring diversification of energy sources beyond hydropower, as part of a new energy policy.
• Traditional and digital economic participation is encouraged through digital ID initiatives to include rural residents in the economy more effectively.
These points give a clear picture of Bhutan’s current focus on governance, law enforcement capacity-building, international relations, economic development, health, and media reform as of August 2025
