More than 60 young leaders from across Bhutan gathered in Thimphu to celebrate International Youth Day today. This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, highlights the vital role youth play in advancing the country’s Sustainable Development Goals. Participants presented innovative ideas, solutions and meaningful discussions, aimed at building a sustainable and inclusive future.
Organised by the World Food Forum Bhutan Chapter with the Food and Agriculture Organisation Bhutan, the celebration gave youth a platform to share ideas, highlight achievements, and voice their concerns directly to decision-makers.
“Today marks the one-year celebration of the World Food Forum Bhutan Chapter. The reason we are hosting such celebrations is that we want the youth voices to be heard. We have so many excellent guests here, and we want the youth voices to be included and represented at a greater platform,” said Tshering Yangden, the leader of the World Food Forum Bhutan Chapter.
The highlight of the day was the Digital Agriculture Hackathon award, where AgriConnect, a student group, was handed a cash prize of Nu 180,000. The group came first during a three-day hackathon conducted ahead of today’s event for a business idea that connects roadside farmers directly to buyers, cutting out middlemen.
“The Bhutanese Journal of Agriculture says over 40 per cent of fresh fruits and vegetables are wasted because of poor handling after harvest. Another problem is the many middlemen. If these middlemen are removed, farmers can sell their products at fair prices,” said Tashi Yoezer, a member of AgriConnect.
Additionally, a youth panel discussion also gave young leaders a platform to speak about their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the challenges they face.
“From my experience, volunteering for Y-PEER Bhutan for the last five years, I think one major challenge used to be grants, but since we should not focus only on challenges and also give solutions, I think it’s important that entities in Bhutan partner with youth groups like us,” said Palden Wangchuk Dorji, a Y-PEER volunteer.
“From my experience as a youth panellist, our young people can contribute to our country’s sustainable development by learning and engaging in advocacy programmes or being involved in waste management, where a simple action of picking up a plastic can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Dechen Kinzang Pelden, a student of the Royal Thimphu College.
Further, agriculture minister Younten Phuntsho commended the creativity and leadership of young people, saying their involvement is key to Bhutan’s national priorities in agriculture and climate-smart farming.
By spotlighting local actions led by the youth, the event aimed to inspire broader efforts towards an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Kipchu
