About
About the Congress
The 2nd Asian Ranger Congress brings together rangers and conservation leaders from across Asia to share knowledge, celebrate achievements, and chart a collective path forward.
Rangers at the Heart of Conservation
Rangers play an indispensable role in maintaining the integrity of protected and conserved areas (PCAs), and in supporting the rights of those with whom they interact while carrying out their duties of planetary protection. The world's rangers go by many names and perform a vast array of roles, from law enforcement and biodiversity monitoring to conservation education and community engagement. They are an essential part of internationally agreed plans to protect 30% of land and oceans, and without them, this goal is unattainable.
Building on the success of the 1st Asian Ranger Congress held in Guwahati, India, in December 2023, the 2nd Asian Ranger Congress will once again bring together rangers and organisations supporting rangers from across Asia to collaborate on the issues that matter most. The Congress will offer a platform to share knowledge, build capacity, create partnerships, and celebrate the vital role rangers play in Asia's extraordinary biodiversity.
This time, the Congress will be hosted in Thimphu, Bhutan, which is globally recognised for its extraordinary commitment to conservation and the wellbeing of its rangers. The Society of Bhutanese Foresters, backed by the Royal Government of Bhutan, is proud to welcome Asia's ranger community to Bhutan.
Where
Royal Institute of Management (RIM), Simtokha, Thimphu, Bhutan
When
2–4 December 2026
Host City & Congress Venue
Majestic Thimphu Hosts You
Set within a high Himalayan valley, Bhutan's capital brings together living culture, forested ridgelines, and a national commitment to conservation, making it a fitting gathering place for Asia's ranger community.
Explore Venue & Accommodation
Congress Venue
Royal Institute of Management
Simtokha, Thimphu · 2–4 December 2026
- Capital elevation
- 2,300 m
- Bhutan's forest cover
- 69.71%
- Protected areas & corridors
- 52%
Rangers of Asia
Rangers from across Asia at work and in their communities. These are the people the Congress is convened for.
Messages of Welcome
Chris Galliers
President, International Ranger Federation
The International Ranger Federation is proud to support the 2nd Asian Ranger Congress and to once again stand alongside the rangers of Asia at this important gathering. This congress will provide a platform for rangers to share experiences, learn from one another, and inspire collective action. What a privilege it was to participate in the 1st Asian Ranger Forum in Guwahati,…
Bunty Tao
President, Ranger Federation of Asia
As a ranger, as an Indigenous person, and as President of the Ranger Federation of Asia, I am deeply honoured to welcome you to the 2nd Asian Ranger Congress in Thimphu, Bhutan. Rangers across Asia come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and landscapes — but we are united by a shared purpose: to protect the natural world and the communities that depend on it. This…
Kinley Tshering
Chairperson, Society of Bhutanese Foresters
On behalf of the Society of Bhutanese Foresters, it is my profound honour to welcome rangers and conservation leaders from across Asia to the 2nd Asian Ranger Congress here in Thimphu, Bhutan. Bhutan has long placed conservation at the heart of its national identity. It is this same spirit that makes Bhutan proud to host a gathering dedicated to those who protect nature on the…
Congress Schedule
A tentative programme overview is now available and will be updated as sessions and timings are confirmed.
View Tentative ProgrammeBuilding on the 1st Asian Ranger Congress
The 1st Asian Ranger Congress was held in Guwahati, India, in December 2023, bringing together rangers, ranger associations, and partner organisations from across the region. It produced the Guwahati Declaration, a landmark statement of intent that commits organisations and governments to strengthening the ranger profession across Asia. The declaration remains a foundational document for the ranger movement in the region, and the 2nd Congress in Thimphu will build directly on this momentum.
146
Participants
20
Countries represented
35
Women rangers
December 2023
Guwahati, India
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Join Us in Thimphu
Secure your place at the 2nd Asian Ranger Congress, explore the themes shaping the programme, or find out how your organisation can support the event.