Paro Forum

The Paro Forum is a biennial interdisciplinary platform convened by the Climate Change and Environmental Law Centre at the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law). Structured around the core pillars of connection, communication, and collaboration, the Forum brings together leaders, policymakers, jurists, academics, scientists, civil society representatives, private sector actors, youth leaders, and international experts to engage meaningfully on climate and environmental challenges. It serves as a space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the co-creation of actionable pathways toward sustainable and just responses to a warming world.

Climate change remains one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century, with impacts on ecosystems, water systems, biodiversity, human health, and social wellbeing. Addressing these impacts requires sustained cooperation across local, national, regional, and global spheres. The Paro Forum was established to foster this cooperation, providing an interdisciplinary setting where evidence-based insights, legal perspectives, and policy innovations can be shared and strengthened. Set against the backdrop of Bhutan’s constitutional commitment to environmental protection and its development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), the Forum reflects the belief that environmental stewardship and human wellbeing are deeply interconnected.

Core Goals and Strategies
The Paro Forum is guided by three foundational strategies:
Connection — Creating space for stakeholders across sectors and borders to come together, share perspectives, and build networks for climate action.
Communication — Facilitating evidence-based, interdisciplinary conversations that explore emerging climate issues, policy responses, and governance frameworks.
Collaboration — Encouraging cooperative efforts that transcend institutional and geographic boundaries to address the multifaceted nature of climate change.

Through plenary sessions, expert panels, community dialogues, and interactive engagements, the Forum delves into pressing topics that integrate legal, scientific, economic, and social perspectives.