From 30 September to 2 October 2025, the “Cryosphere and People at Risk in Bhutan and the Hindu-Kush Himalaya Workshop” took place in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu.
Organised by the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), the Royal Government of Bhutan in collaboration with Swiss Polar Institute (SPI) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the workshop brought together over 25 regional and international experts, including Swiss experts from ETH Zurich, EPFL, the Canton of Valais, SLF and WSL. The exchange focused on mapping hazards related to glaciers and the cryosphere, strengthening early warning systems for better protection of affected communities, and addressing critical knowledge gaps. The workshop helped devise a way forward with the creation of a network and the definition of priority projects.
“We see similarities between Switzerland and Bhutan here. We also rely on our glaciers for hydropower. Our populations are at risk from different natural hazards relating to glaciers. We are here to discuss together how we can face those challenges for our livelihoods and for our economies.”
– Danièle Rod, Executive Director, Swiss Polar Institute
