Background and Rationale

In an era marked by ecological crises, deepening inequalities, geopolitical rivalries, and the erosion
of democratic trust, the moral voice and developmental philosophy of small states have become
increasingly vital. Bhutan, guided by the visionary leadership of His Majesty the Fourth Druk
Gyalpo, introduced to the world an alternative paradigm, Gross National Happiness (GNH), that
placed human well-being, ecological harmony, good governance, and cultural integrity at the heart
of national progress. Today, under the visionary leadership of His Majesty The King, Bhutan once
again inspires the world through the transformative vision of the Gelephu Mindfulness City: A
model of mindful urbanization that fuses spiritual depth with technological innovation, cultural
integrity with global openness, and sustainability with human flourishing. This initiative positions
Bhutan not merely as a practitioner of GNH but as a global thought leader in designing future
ready, compassionate, and inclusive societies. The 5th International Conference on Gross National
Happiness and Law will therefore explore “The Small-State Leadership & GNH”: An inquiry into
how small nations can lead by example in shaping a just, compassionate, and sustainable world
order. The conference will convene world leaders, jurists, scholars, economists, policymakers, and
spiritual thinkers to reflect on the lessons Bhutan offers and the pathways it can chart in the decades
to come.