The 2nd HI-CAS Project Country Advisory Committee (PCAC) Meeting was convened for the HI-CAS project in Bhutan on 9 September 2026. The meeting brought together senior government officials and project partners to review progress, provide strategic guidance, support the achievement of project targets, facilitate policy linkage, and support national coordination in support of the project’s sustainability.
Chaired by the Director of the Department of Water, the meeting was represented by committee members across the Ministry’s Policy and Planning Division, Department of Forest and Parks Services, Department of Infrastructure Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, National Commission for Women and Children, the Tarayana Foundation, and Dzongkhag administration representatives of the project sites.
Tarayana Foundation presented an update on the project’s physical and financial progress since the start of implementation. Given the project’s integrated nature, participants underscored the importance of continued support and technical oversight, particularly from the Department of Infrastructure Development and the Department of Energy. The Committee also called on relevant agencies to support the process of securing clearances for the installation of solar lift infrastructure at the project sites. The National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology was also acknowledged for its support in providing rain gauge equipment and technical assistance to the project.
Participants were also informed about a policy dialogue exchange to be held in Bhutan in late November, for which continued support was requested, as well as the 3rd PCAC meeting scheduled for February next year.
The HI-CAS project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by ICIMOD and Tarayana Foundation. The PCAC, which convenes biannually with HI-CAS Bhutan Country Office housed in the Ministry provides secretariat support, serves as an advisory body guiding project implementation, facilitating policy linkages, and supporting national-level coordination including the provision of necessary approvals and permissions.
