Global Social Investors To Convene In Abu Dhabi For The AVPN Conference 2024

The AVPN Global Conference 2024 is poised to commence in Abu Dhabi tomorrow, heralding a significant gathering of over 1,500 stakeholders from the social investment sphere. This assembly includes investors, philanthropists, researchers, policymakers, and professionals focused on impact. Organized by AVPN, which stands as Asia's most extensive network of social investors, the conference is celebrated annually in varying locales with the aim of fostering unity within Asia's social investing ecosystem. This year's event, scheduled from April 23rd to 25th, enjoys the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and stands out for its inclusivity, covering regions from the GCC to Australia and New Zealand, thereby connecting diverse parts of Asia.

The conference agenda is packed with over 70 plenaries and breakout sessions that delve into pivotal areas of social impact including climate solutions, health resilience, as well as youth and women empowerment through technology-driven initiatives. A special focus on impact investing is set for Day 2, underscoring the region's increasing focus on strategic funding to maximize social impact. Among the highlighted sessions are discussions on transformative giving practices, building resilient social investing strategies, and crisis-driven philanthropy for better responsiveness and impact.

Marking a milestone, this year's conference represents the first AVPN event hosted in the Middle East. This choice reflects the UAE's prominent role in global development and its tradition of philanthropy, inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organisations Affairs, emphasized the critical role of collaboration and innovation in fostering humanitarian response and inclusive development.

Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, highlighted the timeliness of hosting the conference in Abu Dhabi amidst transformative economic shifts in Asia. She pointed out that achieving Sustainable Development Goals necessitates substantial investments and collaborative efforts among social investors to urgently tackle socio-environmental challenges in the region.

Support for the conference comes from a robust lineup of host and core partners including the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Reaching the Last Mile, Zayed Charitable & Humanitarian Foundation, Burjeel Holdings, Alef Education, Emirates Red Crescent, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Lead partners feature The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Visa Worldwide Pte Ltd, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, Institute of Philanthropy, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

This convergence in Abu Dhabi not only underscores the UAE's commitment to global development but also sets a platform for meaningful dialogues and partnerships aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Asia and beyond through social investment.

With inputs from WAM