First Regional Consultation Held in Gelephu for Bhutan’s First National Report on the Nagoya Protocol

12 January, 2026: The first regional consultation meeting for the preparation of Bhutan’s First National Report on the Nagoya Protocol was successfully conducted in Gelephu, bringing together local government representatives and officials from Trongsa, Sarpang, Dagana, Tsirang, Bumthang, and Zhemgang.

The meeting was organized to gather regional inputs and strengthen stakeholder engagement in the national reporting process on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). The program began with a presentation by the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), followed by an overview of the Centre’s mandate and roles. Participants were then introduced to the Nagoya Protocol, including the current status of ABS implementation in Bhutan.

Key sessions included presentations on the proposed reporting framework and methodology, as well as the draft National Report, which provided a basis for discussion and feedback. Participants actively engaged in group work sessions to identify issues, challenges, and opportunities in implementing ABS at the local and regional levels. The consultation also included reflection sessions, a quiz to reinforce understanding, and discussions on the way forward. The meeting concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks, acknowledging the valuable contributions of all participants.

The regional consultation marked an important step in ensuring an participatory approach toward the preparation of Bhutan’s first National Report on the Nagoya Protocol.