The Paro Forum will take place from 22-24 February 2025 to coincide with the Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and the Foundation Day of the Law School. The Forum will bring together participants from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, national and international policy or decision-making bodies, civil society organizations, the private sector, youths, and interdisciplinary climate and environmental experts.
The Forum will have eleven (11) sessions stretched over three (3) days. These sessions will involve discussions on various topics relating to water management and climate change facilitated by enthusiastic and expert moderators
| 8:45 | Registration |
| 09.00 | Welcome and Opening 1. Lighting of butter lamp, Marchang and Opening prayer 2. Welcome 3. Vote of Thanks |
| 11.30 | Session One: Keynote Panel |
| 14.00 | Session Two: Academic Panel: The Science of Climate Change |
| 1. Droughts and floods 2. Water Scarcity – Questions of Distribution 3. Groundwater Contamination 4. Glacial Melt | |
| 16.00 | Session Three: Royal Society for Protection of Nature |
| Wetland restoration in conserving the habitats of the White Bellied Heron and Protecting the environment |
| 09.30 | Session Four: Water User Group Spotlight: “Community Champions: Empowering Sustainable Water Usage in Bhutan” |
| 1. Desung Water project 2. Water for Women Bhutan 3. Tarayana 4. Paro District Administration 5. Bhutan Water Partnership | |
| 11.30 | Session Five: Funders Panel “Investing in Water: Exploring Opportunities for Resilience” |
| 1. UNDP 2. WWF-Bhutan 3. RSPN 4. Bhutan Trust fund 5. Bhutan for Life | |
| 14.00 | Session Six: Student Showcase: “Innovation in Action: Commercializing Water in Bhutan” (Privatisation of Water) |
| 1. Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic 2. Human dignity Clinic 3. Entrepreneurism and Technology Clinic | |
| 16.00 | Session Seven: Documentary Screening and Discussion: “Glacial Perspectives: Exploring the Frozen Frontiers |
| 1. Screening of “Bhutan Mountain Man: video diaries from a lone glaciologist.” 2. In conversation with Phuntsho Tshering, Bhutan’s Glacier specialist and Arrun Battarai, the filmmaker. |
| 09.30 | Session Eight: Seven years on – Revisiting the National Water Symposium |
| Department of Water, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources | |
| 11.30 | Session Nine: Hydro Panel |
| 14.00 | Session Ten: Stakeholders Meeting: “Charting the Course: Collaborative Strategies for Water Conservation and Climate Resilience” |
| Conclusion of key insights and strategies. | |
| 17.00 | Session Eleven: Closing & Prayer |