Sherab Lhamo

Bhutan has become the first nation to be invited to join the Global Acceptance Network (GAN) as an ecosystem member. This membership promises enhanced security and global connectivity for Bhutanese citizens.

An official from Bhutan’s National Digital Identity (NDI) said that Bhutan, as a leader in implementing a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)-based digital identity system on a national scale, was invited to join the GAN as an ecosystem member.

Bhutan officially became a member on October 3, during the Bhutan Innovation Forum.

The official added that Bhutan’s membership in GAN marks a significant step towards ensuring that the country’s digital credentials are not only secure within its borders but also recognised and trusted internationally.

GAN offers the standards and protocols necessary for Bhutan to create an interconnected and trusted digital future. By joining GAN, Bhutan can ensure that its verifiable digital credentials are accepted internationally.

GAN is a neutral, non-profit organisation focused on building a global public infrastructure for digital trust. It acts as the governing body for this new layer of digital trust.

According to the official, GAN will enable individuals, organisations, devices, software, and AI bots to establish and maintain sustainable digital trust relationships by using open-standard digital wallets, credentials, and trust registries.

“This new digital trust utility is designed to address many of the current challenges of the Internet, such as spam, phishing, fraud, malware, and ransomware,” the official said.

GAN’s core responsibility is to develop and maintain the GAN Governance Framework. This framework outlines the policies, rules, and technical standards that enable member ecosystems to collaborate seamlessly while preserving their unique characteristics.

As of now, 134,049 Bhutanese citizens have been issued Bhutan National NDI wallets with foundational IDs.

GovTech Secretary Jigme Tenzing said that Bhutan’s membership in the GAN marks a significant advancement in ensuring that the country’s digital credentials are not only secure domestically but also globally trusted.

“Our vision is to empower every Bhutanese citizen with control over their own data, while enabling seamless and verifiable exchanges with the world. GAN provides the interoperable trust network necessary to build this truly interconnected and trusted digital future,” said the Secretary.

Currently, Bhutan has representatives serving as GAN Ambassadors, including Jacques von Benecke, Group Chief Technology Officer at Druk Holdings and Investments, and Kuenga Zam, director of the Department of Digital Transformation at GovTech Bhutan.

The Ambassadors are appointed by the Nominating Committee, hold seats on the Member Advisory Council with full voting rights, playing a key role in shaping the direction of GAN’s governance.

According to the joint press release, Bhutan reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity by ensuring that all citizens have access to secure digital interactions, aligning with GAN’s Guiding Principles.

Bhutan’s participation in the GAN underscores the critical role of collaboration between the public and private sectors in building a trusted digital future.

As a GAN ecosystem member, Bhutan aims to enable its citizens to use NDI wallets globally.

 However, the official noted that this vision requires coordinated efforts from multiple stakeholders and governments, as the system’s success depends on cross-border cooperation and alignment among various entities.