In partnership with Bhutan’s Ministry of Health and WHO Bhutan, and under the banner of the PMAC Strategic Institute (PMAC SI), IHPP facilitated a four-day workshop from 14-17 April 2026 in Thimphu to strengthen the capacity of health professionals in global health diplomacy and support Bhutan’s preparations for its EB Chairmanship.

IHPP, in close consultation with the Ministry of Health and the WHO Country Office, co-created the workshop objectives to strengthen participants’ understanding of global health architecture, governance structures, key actors, and their roles in shaping health policies. The objectives also focused on enhancing practical competencies in global health diplomacy, including negotiation processes, legal and policy instruments, WHO governing body procedures, and strategic engagement through regional and like-minded alliances.

The workshop brought together a diverse cross-section of over sixty senior officials, program and planning officers, researchers and communicators to deepen understanding of global health diplomacy frameworks, build technical competencies, and forge a shared national agenda for Bhutan's engagement in global health governance.

In line with the requirements outlined by the Ministry of Health, ten sessions were designed to be highly participatory, fostering active engagement and collaborative exchange among participants. The focus of the sessions is outlined below:

      Day 1 (14th April 2026): Global Health Foundations and Leveraging Bhutan’s Upcoming EB Chairmanship

      Day 2 (15th April 2026): Forming National Positions and Drafting Interventions

      Day 3 (16th April 2026): Principles and Practice of Global Health Negotiation

      Day 4 (17th April 2026): Communication for health diplomacy

A key outcome of the workshop was consensus on the need to institutionalize global health diplomacy as a core competency within Bhutan's health sector, moving beyond one-off training events. Looking ahead, participants expressed confidence in Bhutan's potential to emerge as a regional leader in global health diplomacy.

The event received significant attention across multiple media platforms, reflecting its relevance and stakeholder interest. Coverage includes articles, news features, and social media mentions highlighting the objectives, discussions, and outcomes of the workshop. A non-exhaustive list of media outlets and platforms is provided below.

Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS), 14 April 2026

Kuensel Video Coverage, 14 April 2026

Kuensel, 15 April 2026

Bhutan Post, 15 April 2026

Bhutan Live, 16 April 2026

Dr. Suwit’s interview by BBS, 17 April 2026

IHPP reaffirmed its commitment to work with Bhutan and other countries in translating the spirit and outcomes of this workshop into concrete institutional action towards a sustained journey for health diplomacy excellence in the region. This effort aligns with the planned Global Health Bootcamp  2026 for interested countries later this year, as well as capacity-building workstream under the PMAC Strategic Institute’s Global Health & UHC Hub, which aims to support demand-based, tailored workshops for countries. The PMAC Strategic Institute can be contacted via pmacsi@ihpp.thaigov.net.

For more information, please read the report here