Bhutan Flying Labs reflects on how the event reinforced the critical role of regional collaboration in building sustainable and inclusive drone ecosystems.
June 20th, 2025
The South Asia Drone Forum 2025 took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 9th to 11th April. Hosted by the Government of Nepal, the three-day event brought together key stakeholders from across the region, global experts, development partners, and youth innovators. With keynote speeches, technical sessions, interactive workshops, live drone demonstrations, and a dedicated half-day workshop for regulators, the forum offered a vibrant space for regional dialogue and knowledge exchange.
Flying Labs from the region were in attendance, along with WeRobotics. India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan Flying Labs came together and participated in different ways, sharing insights from our local experiences and spotlighting the growing potential of drones to drive positive social impact across South Asia.
Our Key Takeaways
For Bhutan Flying Labs, the forum reinforced the critical role of regional collaboration in building sustainable and inclusive drone ecosystems. There is clear momentum around strengthening airspace governance, local innovation, and the use of drones for public benefit — all of which align closely with our goals.
The forum’s discussions on regulatory innovation and the future of unmanned traffic management (UTM) stood out, especially given the diverse experiences shared by countries at different stages of drone integration. The session on youth and gender inclusion in the drone sector was also particularly powerful and aligned with our ongoing work to create accessible pathways for young Bhutanese drone operators and innovators.
Bhutan Flying Labs’ Contribution
We had the opportunity to present on the Drone Ecosystem in Bhutan, showcasing how we are building a responsible and locally-driven drone network. We also participated in a panel discussion on UTM, BVLOS, and drone testing facilities, where we shared Bhutan’s perspective on airspace integration, regulatory challenges, and opportunities for cross-border learning. Additionally, we delivered a presentation on UTM, BVLOS, and the development of drone corridors in Bhutan — an area we’re actively exploring for environmental monitoring and emergency response. The response was very encouraging, with participants expressing keen interest in Bhutan’s approach to balancing innovation and regulation.
Developments shaping the drone industry in Bhutan and South Asia
The forum made it clear that the future of drones in South Asia will be shaped by greater regional policy alignment, investment in testing infrastructure, and emphasis on local capacity building. In Bhutan, we see growing potential in using drone corridors to reach remote communities, especially for health and environmental initiatives. Emerging areas like drone-based AI applications and green drone technology are also on our radar.
New collaborations
The event opened doors for several exciting conversations — from joint research on airspace management with regional Flying Labs to exploring test corridor collaborations. We’re also discussing opportunities for youth engagement programs and knowledge exchange to support a broader South Asian drone learning network.
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