The government of Bhutan has passed several laws to set the stage to become the first entire country to focus its economic development on Blue Economy. Over the next years, 36 innovations will be implemented in this Himalayan state – a draft plan was published by the Ministry of Economy here. An open letter has been published showing the international support for the government's efforts to this effect. The first 100 signatories can be found . In the next days, we will invite the world to join this group and show their support by signing up as well. This endeavour will shortly lead to the creation of a GNH Fund, directing foreign investments into building Bhutan's 'blue' economy. Individuals who instead wish to donate towards the same goals can do so via the Tarayana Foundation Trust .

Released to HE The Prime Minister of Bhutan on December 6, 2010

We, the undersigned citizens of the world, have been impressed by the pioneering role of the Menschen of Bhutan in steering modern society towards sustainability and a healthy life filled with happiness.

Over the years we have admired the leadership of His Majesty the King in turning the absolute monarchy into a democracy, and been encouraged by the pragmatic decisions the first elected Government has taken to strengthen economic progress while safeguarding Gross National Happiness (GNH).

The mandate to protect 60% of its current prime forests and the guaranteed access to traditional medicine parallel to modern medicine (both engrained into the constitution), prohibiting the sale of cigarettes nationwide, the commitment to be a net carbon sink forever, as well as Bhutan's policies on plastic bags (banned), junk food (taxed) and luxury cars (also heavily taxed), set the stage for a world society we all aspire to be part of.

The Government of Bhutan has signaled its resolve to turn the country into a benchmark for social and economic development:

1. the first bio-plastics nation of the world converting only agro-waste into functional plastics, inspired by Novamont in Italy;
2. the first fossil free nation in the world guaranteeing mobility tapping resin from its trees as the prime and hopefully soon only liquid fuel source, inspired by Las Gaviotas in Colombia;
3. the first urban design that ensures water efficiency and health locally, eliminating the need for septic tanks, sewage and centralized water treatment, inspired by EcoCycle Design in Sweden;
4. the first to pursue organic agriculture nation-wide, starting with hotels and restaurants catering to international tourists; and, Released to HE The Prime Minister of Bhutan on December 6, 2010
5. the first Government to consider a transparent investment banking system dedicated to funding the GNH initiative.

 

Bhutan clearly goes beyond the best green economy we have imagined to date and this inspires us. We believe that time has come to move from genuine appreciation into pro-active support to achieve these objectives for the global benefit as well as the benefit of the Menschen of Bhutan.

Each one of us, who signs this document, commits to the best of our abilities to do what it takes to turn these long term policy options into a success. The policies that pursue sustainability, growth and happiness, must be translated into concrete projects, real investment opportunities, learning platforms, and social capital while stimulating a new kind of entrepreneurship. A first portfolio of initiatives selected after a year of consultations and field visits, guided by the insights provided by The Blue Economy will not only shape the Bhutanese economy, these proposals based on proven experiences taken to the national level in Bhutan represent a benchmark for the rest of the world.

Our commitment to make these policies a reality will respect Bhutan's cultural and natural heritage, and will ensure implementation through good governance, cornerstones of the GNH philosophy. We offer to contribute through a combination of mobilizing our existing networks, securing investments through the GNH Fund, facilitating technology transfers, and engaging in market development. We wish to secure that the Bhutanese, especially the rural communities will be served and benefit first and foremost. We wish to shift from a culture of aid, credit and debt, to an investment strategy enabled by foreign direct investment and the economic policies of Bhutan, that brings more than growth, while offering reasonable returns to those who share the risk through long term capital gains. We understand the financial and moral rewards that come with the achievement of all policy targets Bhutan has and will set forth, will be healthy and substantial. The local communities must share these benefits at all levels.

This investment - and not debt or aid - strategy, reconfirms our trust in the capacity of the Bhutanese to deliver, and our desire to be long term partners. Those of us who can, will contribute to the GNH Investment Fund, while all of us will stimulate entrepreneurship and strengthen an emerging private sector, while operating within market mechanisms.

Our ultimate goal is to respond to the basic needs of all, reaching the unreached, focusing on generating more revenues and jobs with available resources, instead of cutting costs and jobs to compete worldwide. We believe that the implementation of these policies strengthens and deepens the brand promise of Bhutan, while offering a development path for generations to come that inspires the young at heart and age everywhere in the world.

Prof. Gunter Pauli
author of The Blue Economy
founder of ZERI
ambassador for the Tarayana Foundation (Bhutan)
December 6, 2010