On 5 December 2025, in a ceremony held in Düsseldorf, Germany, Her Royal Highness Princess Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck accepted the Special International German Sustainability Award 2025. One of Europe’s most prestigious honours for social and ecological initiatives, it recognised the exceptional, decades-long collaboration between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the German enterprise PRIMAVERA — a partnership widely regarded as a model for sustainable international cooperation.

A Tribute to Bhutan’s Royal Vision

Accepting the award on behalf of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan, Her Royal Highness framed the honour as a reflection of Bhutan’s long-standing Royal vision. Her address underscored the nation’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and holistic wellbeing.

She highlighted three key pillars of this vision:

• Honouring the Past: A tribute to the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who established the philosophy of Gross National Happiness and placed environmental protection at the centre of Bhutan’s development, guided by simplicity, balance, and deep respect for nature.

• Continuing the Legacy: Recognition of His Majesty The Fifth King’s dedication to advancing this vision and ensuring Bhutan continues to live in harmony with the natural world.

• A Vision for the Future: The Gelephu Mindfulness City as a contemporary expression of this commitment, designed as a thoughtful, balanced, and sustainable economic and cultural gateway for future generations.

Her message reinforced that Bhutan’s achievements are rooted in consistent leadership and shared national values.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values

The award celebrates more than three decades of collaboration between Bhutan and PRIMAVERA, a partnership built on mutual respect and ecological responsibility.

• Foundations: The relationship began in 1990, when PRIMAVERA’s founders, Ute Leube and Kurt L. Nübling, visited Bhutan in search of high-quality lemongrass oil and found a nation guided by Gross National Happiness — a philosophy that resonated deeply with them.

• Growth and Collaboration: Following over a decade of cooperation between PRIMAVERA, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Bio Bhutan founders Dr. Irmela Harz, Karma Yangzom, and Ugyen, the enduring partnership was built on trust, respect, and shared growth.

Ugyen and Dr Irmela Harz in Bio Bhutan factory

As the partnership matured, PRIMAVERA’s support evolved from sourcing raw materials to actively nurturing Bhutan’s rural communities. Since 1990, PRIMAVERA has backed Bhutan’s sustainability goals through concrete on-the-ground projects, and in 2023, it expanded this commitment by establishing its subsidiary Terra Himalaya. The initiative aligns with His Majesty The King’s vision — shaping Bhutan’s future through thoughtful, sustainable transformation while uplifting rural livelihoods.

• Present-Day Commitment: Today, Terra Himalaya works with more than 165 farming families across Bhutan, developing sustainable value chains for high-altitude medicinal and aromatic plants. For over 30 years, wild lemongrass — and, since 2024, branches of aromatic Himalayan pine — have been harvested by hand, producing the high-quality essential oils central to PRIMAVERA’s portfolio. The organisation now focuses on knowledge transfer, collaborative research, building local manufacturing capabilities, and enhancing rural value creation, demonstrating a deep and enduring commitment to both people and nature.

Her Royal Highness expressed deep gratitude for PRIMAVERA’s steadfast partnership, which has helped advance sustainable, community-based production in Bhutan.

The Significance of the German Sustainability Award

Receiving this award places Bhutan among an esteemed group of global leaders recognised for exceptional contributions to sustainability.

Key points underscoring its significance include:

1. A Second Recognition: Bhutan was first honoured in 2016, when Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay received the award, marking the first time a country was recognised for its national commitment to sustainable development.

2. Distinguished Recipients: Past awardees include His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, Queen Silvia of Sweden, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The honour affirms Bhutan’s deeply rooted national ethos of environmental harmony.

Bhutan’s Enduring Commitment to Environmental Harmony

Bhutan’s sustainability achievements are not recent innovations but long-standing national priorities embedded in policy, culture, and constitutional mandate. The German Sustainability Award Foundation cited several landmark contributions:

• Climate Leadership: Bhutan is the world’s only CO₂-negative country.

• Constitutional Protection: The Constitution requires at least 60 percent of Bhutan’s land to remain under forest cover in perpetuity; today, more than half the country is protected as national parks.

• Future Goals: Bhutan aims for 100 percent organic agriculture by 2035 and to become a zero-waste nation by 2030, while pursuing responsible development through initiatives such as the Gelephu Mindfulness City.

These commitments underpin Bhutan’s reputation as a global leader in environmental conservation.