LocationsGovernment leaders, policymakers and experts from seven countries are exploring how public institutions can better prepare for change, adapt policies and deliver more responsive services.
Bhutan hosts Asia-Pacific dialogue on future-ready governance
October 8, 2026
UNDP/Karma Jamtsho
Thimphu, 8 October 2026: Opening the two-day strategic dialogue on “Governing through Change: Future Ready Governance in Asia and the Pacific”, Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay drew on Bhutan’s democratic transition as an example of leadership that prepared for change before a crisis. “Our democracy was not one of a crisis. It was born out of anticipation. Today, we would call it a future-ready governance,” he said.
“Anticipate, adapt and act. For every country, these capabilities matter. For a small country, like Bhutan, they not just matter more, but in our case, they can be our superpowers,” the Prime Minister told a gathering of more than 100 government leaders, policymakers and governance experts from Bhutan, India, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan
UNDP/Karma Jamtsho
He also pointed to Gelephu Mindfulness City as Bhutan’s effort to shape a new economic future.
“For nearly two decades ago, our Kings prepared Bhutan for a political future many of us could not yet see. Today, His Majesty has set out on another future through the Diamond Strategy. And he is leading us towards it. The direction is clear. Now the work belongs to all of us. His Majesty has anticipated the Bhutan we must become,” the Prime Minister said.
The regional dialogue on how governments can anticipate change, adapt institutions and policies, improve public service delivery, and harness technology and partnerships to respond to emerging challenges, is convened by the Prime Minister’s Office, UNDP and the Chandler Governance Group.
Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative ad interim
UNDP/Karma Jamtsho
From governing for stability to governing through change
Governments built for stability now face constant change and disruption, from climate pressures and demographic shifts to new technologies, fragmented trade and declining public trust. Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative ad interim, said the cost of these multiple and overlapping risks are already visible. “At the current pace, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to miss 103 of 117 measurable Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2030. The dialogue raises a fundamental question: ‘How can governments remain effective when change is constant?’
UNDP is supporting governments to develop dynamic governance capabilities to anticipate and plan ahead, use data and evidence, test new approaches, improve coordination and make public services more effective and accessible. “This includes policy innovation labs in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bhutan, foresight work from Cambodia to Fiji, building stronger government coordination in Nepal and digital tools for more responsive services.”
Wu Wei Neng, CEO of Chandler Governance Group
UNDP/Karma Jamtsho
Wu Wei Neng, Chief Executive Officer of the Chandler Governance Group, said governments understand future readiness better than they did 20 years ago, but many still struggle to put it into practice.
The Singapore-based non-profit works with governments around the world to strengthen public institutions and turn governance ideas into practical action.
“In the early 2000s, most people had not heard of scenario planning. Today, many countries have foresight teams and a better sense of what it means to anticipate the future. But effective future readiness still requires more work,” he said.
To support that work, UNDP and the Chandler Governance Group are developing the Asia-Pacific Future-Ready Governance Index (FRGI) with an international expert group and participating pilot countries.
The Index will look at three areas: how well governments anticipate change, adapt policies and act quickly. It will assess practical capabilities such as spotting risks, planning for the long term, coordinating across government, testing new ideas, mobilising resources and using digital tools to improve services. The aim is to help governments identify gaps, set reform priorities and track progress.
An Expert Reference Group of academics, international partners and senior practitioners will review the Index, test its approach and help ensure its findings are credible and useful.
UNDP plans to pilot the FRG Index in selected countries during 2026 and 2027. The findings will be linked to national reform priorities and country-level support through UNDP’s Project Vision initiative.
Dasho Karma Ura presented on Bhutan's Gross National Happiness approach as a framework for long-term, people-centred and resilient development
UNDP/Karma Jamtsho
UNDP/Karma Jamtsho
Why measure future readiness?
Many governments want to become more forward-looking and responsive, but they lack clear evidence about what is working and where the gaps are. Without that information, reforms can be piecemeal and reactive.
By making these strengths and gaps visible, the Index can help governments learn from one another, focus reforms and hold more informed discussions with civil society and development partners.
The Future-Ready Governance Index was highlighted as an important tool for assessing institutional strengths and weaknesses, identifying gaps and strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to change.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Diana Torres, Regional Team Leader, Governance, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub; E-mail: diana.torres@undp.org.
Ms. Tshering Choden, Programme Analyst, Governance and Advocacy Unit, UNDP; E-mail: tshering.choden1@undp.org.
Ms. Dechen Wangmo, Communications and Partnerships Analyst, UNDP; E-mail: dechen.wangmo@undp.org.
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