Event Agenda
Join us for two transformative days of dialogue, innovation, and collaboration to advance impact finance in Bhutan
Grand Opening
Inaugurate the Bhutan SDG Impact Finance Forum, followed by a thought-provoking fireside chat with Royston Braganza, Chair of the Impact Investors Council of India, exploring the future of impact investing and its relevance for Bhutan's emerging sustainable finance landscape.
Registration
Arrival of Chief Guest
Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister
Welcome by Master of Ceremony
Mr. Phub Dorji, Nyingnor
Statement by UN Resident Coordinator a.i
Ms. Rushnan Murtaza
Video Message
Ms. Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen
Keynote Address
Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister
Forum Overview
Mr. Timothy Wilson, Head of Office, UN Resident Coordinator's Office
Fireside Chat on Role of Private Innovative Financing
Speakers:
- Mr. Royston Braganza, CEO of Grameen Capital India
- Mr. Karma Yeshey, Company Registrar, Corporate Regulatory Authority of Bhutan, MoICE
Closing
Mr. Phub Dorji, Nyingnor
Showcase of innovative businesses, High Tea, Photo and Cultural Performance
Strong foundations for acceleration: what is the role of impact finance?
Introduction to key concepts and objectives of SDG Impact Finance, building foundational literacy through expert insights and a panel discussion on how innovative, private-sector–led impact finance can advance Bhutan's SDG ambitions.
Opening
Ms. Sonomi Tanaka, Country Director, ADB
Setting the Scene: What is Impact Finance?
Ms. Neha Bhatnagar, Board of Advisor, Aspire Impact
Panel Discussion on Strong foundations for acceleration: what is the role of impact finance?
Moderator: Ms. Sonomi Tanaka, Country Director, ADB
Speakers:
- Ms. Neha Bhatnagar, Board of Advisor, Aspire Impact
- Mr. Charles (Chongguang) Yu, Regional Lead, Sustainable Finance – Asia and the Pacific, UNDP
- Dr. Sean Watson, CEO, Mountain Hazelnut
- Mr. Jigme Tenzin, Founder, Innovest Pvt Ltd
Lunch - Showcase of innovative business at the Courtyard
Gelephu Mindfulness City
Presentation on the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) development and its role in Bhutan's sustainable development vision.
Introduction by Master of Ceremony
Mr. Phub Dorji, Nyingnor
Presentation on Gelephu Mindfulness City
Ms. Ngawang Tshomo, Associate Director of City Development, GMC
Moderated Q&A
Instruments in Action: Launch of new SDG Impact Finance Instruments
Instruments in Action: New and innovative SDG Impact Finance Instruments designed to accelerate development progress
Opening
Ms. Lekema Dorji, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, UNICEF Bhutan
Screening of Short Video on Tigers Conservation Coalition
Presentation on Bhutan's Context on Tiger Conservation
Mr. Tandin, Program Specialist Forests and Biodiversity, WWF-Bhutan
Presentation on Tiger's Impact Certificate and Tigers Conservation Coalition
Mr. Devjit Roy Chowdhury, Sustainable Finance Lead, Tiger Conservation Coalition
Presentation of the Agri Sustain Fund
Mr. Sonam Pelgen, Senior Planning Officer, PPD, MoAL
Presentation on index-based insurance unlocking finance and productivity for smallholder farmers
Mr. Peter Rodrigues, Representative and Country Director of WFP Bhutan
Presentation of the Agenda Chikha Trust Fund
Mr. Timothy Wilson, Head of the RCO Bhutan
Session Conclusion
Ms. Lekema Dorji, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, UNICEF Bhutan
Tea - Showcase of innovative business at the Courtyard
Loden Tewa: Growth Stage Impact Accelerator and Fund for catalytic growth
Highlighting Loden Tewa's impact-first approach, exploring how targeted support and venture philanthropy can accelerate Bhutanese entrepreneurs, de-risk investments, and strengthen a purpose-driven, sustainable SME ecosystem aligned with GNH principles.
Presentation on Loden Tewa
Ms. Thinley Choden, Founding CEO, Loden Tewa
Introduction of the Loden Tewa Inaugural Cohort
Official Announcement of the Loden Tewa Inaugural Cohort, and Entrepreneur Introductions & Venture Presentations.
Panel Discussion: A conversation on how targeted support and venture philanthropy can accelerate Bhutanese entrepreneurs, de-risk investments, and build a purpose-driven, sustainable SME ecosystem aligned with GNH, Q&A
Moderator: Ms. Thinley Choden, Founding CEO, Loden Tewa
Speakers:
- Ms. Abbie Jung, Co-Founder, Synergy Social Ventures
- Ms. Susanne T. Nielsen, Partner, Nordic Female Founders
Reverse pitching by impact and philanthropic finance vehicles
Empowering Bhutanese entrepreneurs by showcasing reverse pitches from financiers, helping participants understand investment decision-making, identify the right funding opportunities, and overcome barriers to accessing impact finance.
Opening and Introduction
Mr. Olaf de Groot, Economist, UN Resident Coordinator's Office
Reverse Pitch 1: Overview of Capacity Development Organizations represented by ANDE
Ms. Sucharita Kamath, Regional Director – Asia, Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE)
Reverse Pitch 2
Mr. Bradley Kopsick, Chief Operating Officer, Insitor Partners
Reverse Pitch 3
Ms. Hiral Sarvaiya Chauhan, Assistant Director, Capital Mobilisation, AVPN
Reverse Pitch 4
Ms. Lindsay Skog, Executive Director, Karuna Foundation
Reverse Pitch 5
Mr. Royston Braganza, CEO, Grameen Impact Investments India Private Limited
Reverse Pitch 6
Mr. Ian Monroe, Founder of Climate+Positive Investing Alliance
Reverse Pitch 7
Ms. Abbie Jung, Co-Founder, Synergy Social Ventures
Reverse Pitch 8
Mr. Soren Stig, Trusted Advisor & Founder, Nordic Impact Investing Network
Summary and Closing
Mr. Olaf de Groot, Economist, UN Resident Coordinator's Office
Tea Break
Bhutan's Climate Innovation Case Studies
Highlighting Bhutanese innovators from the HKH Dialogue, showcasing how challenge funds and regional support have transformed climate-resilient solutions into investable enterprises ready to scale in Bhutan's unique context.
Opening by MC
Mr. Phub Dorji, Nyingnor
Presentation on ICIMOD's Investment Initiatives & Presentation on Highlights from HKH Investment Dialogue
Speakers:
- Mr. Abinash Maurya, Research Associate, Investments and Climate Finance, ICIMOD
- Mr. Ghulam Ali, Innovative Investment Options Specialist, ICIMOD
Showcasing Youth-Led Solutions 1: Kingdom Essences
Mr. Kuenga Dhendup
Showcasing Youth-Led Solutions 2: ZhingScan by TechWiz
Mr. Phurpa Dorji
Showcasing Youth-Led Solutions 3: GreenChain AI
Mr. Sonam Wangchuk
Showcasing Youth-Led Solutions 4: Yoering-Ma
Mr. Sailesh Bhandari
Moderated Q&A
Moderator: Mr. Phub Dorji, Nyingnor
Financing Initiatives for Youth and Education
A pitching session bringing forward innovative youth and education initiatives to spark stakeholder interest, attract potential financing, and generate expert feedback for scalable impact.
Introduction by Moderator
Ms. Dechen Tshomo, Program Officer, MoESD
Pitch 1: Climate-resilient schools
Mr. Chhimi Dorji, Independent Consultant
Pitch 2: Youth Skilling & Entrepreneurship Fund
Ms. Samten Choden, Assistant Program Officer, MoICE
Pitch 3: Vocational Training Centre Bumthang
Ms. Rewa Dorji, Project & Marketing Officer, The Gyalyum Charitable Trust Fund
Pitch 4: Creating a World-Class MBA programme in Bhutan
Mr. Dalston Pung, President, Gedu College of Business Studies
Pitch 5: Fund for children with disabilities
Mr. Jigme Dorji, Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF
Closing
Ms. Dechen Tshomo, Program Officer, MoESD
Funding nature: How new and innovative financial instruments can enable environmental stewardship and climate action
A session in which innovative financial instruments for Bhutan will be platformed and discussed, providing participants with practical insights from local and global experts.
Introduction by Moderator
Ms. Namgay Choden, Project Analyst for the Governance Portfolio, UNDP
Presentation on Exploring Emerging Nature Finance Opportunities and the Policies Needed to Unlock Them
Dr. Lindy Fursman, Director of Climate and Energy Policy at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Presentation on Innovative Global Finance Instruments with Practical Applications for Bhutan
Mr. Ian Monroe, President and Chief Investment Officer, Etho Capital
Presentation on the Sustaining an Abundance of Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) Initiative
Dr. Sudhir Sharma, Regional Coordinator, NDC Action Project, UNEP
Presentation on the experience of the Karuna Foundation in driving impactful climate action in Bhutan, and on the global stage
Ms. Lindsay Skog, Executive Director, Karuna Foundation
Closing
Ms. Namgay Choden, Project Analyst for the Governance Portfolio, UNDP
Catalyzing Impact: Blended and Innovation Finance for Scalable, Sustainable Investment
A deep-dive session on how blended and innovative finance can unlock private capital, strengthen public financing systems, and accelerate Bhutan's sustainable and inclusive development.
Opening by Moderator
Mr. Ugyen Norbu, Policy Advisor & Economist, UNDP
Panel Discussion on Catalyzing Impact: Blended and Innovation Finance for Scalable, Sustainable Investment
Moderator: Mr. Ugyen Norbu, Policy Advisor & Economist, UNDP
Speakers:
- Mr. Kirthisri Rajatha Wijeweera, Senior Advisor, Finance for Development, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
- Mr. Charles (Chongguang) Yu, SDG Finance Policy Advisor, UNDP
- Ms. Kunzang Wangmo, Programme Specialist, UNDP
- Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Senior Nature Investment Advisor, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
Moderated Q&A
Mr. Ugyen Norbu, Policy Advisor & Economist, UNDP
Closing by Moderator
Mr. Ugyen Norbu, Policy Advisor & Economist, UNDP
Closing
The closing session synthesizes key outcomes, commitments, and actionable next steps, reinforcing Bhutan's leadership in SDG-aligned impact finance and setting the stage for sustained partnerships, investment mobilization, and values-driven development.
Arrival of Chief Guest
Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Minister, Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Employment
Opening by Master of Ceremony
Mr. Phub Dorji, Nyingnor
Highlights Reel: Forum in 120 seconds
Summary of Key Outcomes & Commitments
Mr. Timothy Wilson, Head of Office, UN Resident Coordinator's Office
Keynote Address
Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Minister, Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Employment
Closing Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator a.i
Ms. Rushnan Murtaza
Closing by Master of Ceremony
Mr. Phub Dorji, Nyingnor
High Tea
Note: This agenda is subject to change. Additional sessions and networking events may be added.
For inquiries about specific sessions, please contact the organizers.