Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
A warm welcome to the fifth Philanthropy Asia Summit.
When we launched the Summit in 2021, and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance in 2023, our goal was clear: to bring people together, forge meaningful partnerships, and catalyse action for impact.
That spirit remains at the heart of what we do.
Earlier, we saw a video featuring three projects supported by PAA and like-minded partners, spanning climate, education, and health. It is encouraging to see progress as ideas take root and start to scale.
But what we saw is just the beginning. Driving impact takes time. Staying the course matters.
That long-termism underpins all that we do at PAA, as we advance a future that is more equitable and resilient, alongside the philanthropic, public and private sectors.
Philanthropy at a Crossroads
Today, the choices we make are more vital than ever.
The world is witnessing a seismic change in the global order, one where rules-based globalisation and free trade are being challenged by rising protectionism and nationalism.
A multipolar world is emerging, fracturing longstanding alliances and multilateralism. Geopolitical tensions are heightening uncertainty. International aid is shrinking, leaving critical gaps in areas like climate adaptation, food security, and public health.
Let me spend some time on the climate crisis.
According to the World Economic Forum, Asia Pacific nations could lose up to 35% of GDP by 20501 due to climate change and natural disasters. This threatens to reverse decades of progress in the region.
Yet, there are signs of promise.
Governments are stepping forward. At COP29 in Baku, nearly 200 countries agreed to triple climate finance for developing nations – to US$300 billion a year by 20352. It’s still far from what we need to close the global financing gap, but it’s a step in the right direction. The broader goal is to scale public and private flows to US$1.3 trillion a year.
We’re seeing stronger regional collaboration in Asia. The ASEAN Common Carbon Framework, also launched at COP29, aims to lower barriers to trading and accelerate ASEAN’s transition to a low-carbon future.
Philanthropy is also rising to the challenge. Not just to fill funding gaps, but to build cross-sector partnerships and scale solutions.
We are experiencing other tailwinds.
There is much potential to harness family office wealth attracted to the financial hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong. We are also witnessing a shift in giving: from isolated interventions to systemic solutions, from short-term grants to long-term investment, and from charity to catalytic capital.
Technology is accelerating this shift. AI and data analytics are enabling sharper insights. And digital platforms are making giving more accessible, efficient, and inclusive3.
Innovative funding models are gaining traction4. One example includes Temasek Foundation’s partnership with Abler Nordic to finance sustainable oil palm in Indonesia5. Another is the interest of philanthropic organisers and funders in deploying risk capital, such as in Singapore’s FAST-P initiative to support Asia’s green energy transition.
By aligning philanthropic capital with commercial or other funding pots, projects are then able to scale in impact. That is the reason why the PAS is once again co-located with Ecosperity Week, organised by Temasek. Both events are seeking to drive the sustainability agenda, each coming from a different lens.
But more and more, we are seeing the convergence of philanthropic and commercial efforts. It is my sincere wish that PAS and Ecosperity will be able to contribute towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
From Challenge to Opportunity
Asia is brimming with talent, innovation, and home to a growing ecosystem of changemakers. Across our region, we are witnessing significant advances, from expanded access to education and a rise in nature-based climate solutions, to growing community-driven innovation in healthcare and nutrition.
Many solutions are already in motion. PAA’s role is to support these efforts, strengthen them, and pull together the right partnerships to help them scale.
A Call to Action
The challenges we face – across climate, education, and health – are complex and interconnected. The path to achieving meaningful change is not linear. And it takes many hands working together. Many hands like yours, here in this room.
This understanding has shaped our Summit agenda.
I look forward to hearing from the distinguished leaders who will share their insights today, and to the new connections that will be forged over the next three days.
To our members, partners, and supporters – thank you for your continued support.
Your trust, ideas, and commitment have shaped PAA into what it is today: a collaborative platform to align efforts and amplify collective impact.
Looking ahead, we will continue to grow PAA’s role as an impact catalyst, trusted convenor, and global thought leader.
We invite more of you to join us, to connect across sectors, scale solutions, and turn good intentions into enduring outcomes.
Thank you, and I wish you an impactful Summit.
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1 Catalysing Climate Action in Asia: Unlocking the Power of Philanthropic-Public-Private Partnerships
3 Internet philanthropy and a new generation of giving in China | Forbes
4 How philanthropy in India is leading global climate action | World Economic Forum
