AVPN Establishes Hub In Abu Dhabi To Strengthen Connections Between West Asia And Asia

AVPN, Asia's largest network of social investors, has chosen Abu Dhabi for its first hub outside Singapore. Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, stated that this decision highlights the UAE's growing role in philanthropy and social investment in West Asia. She praised the UAE's spirit of service and generosity, which was evident during AVPN's global conference in Abu Dhabi in April 2024.

Batra emphasised the potential for collaboration between cultures across Asia and West Asia. She noted that these regions share many similarities, fostering opportunities for knowledge exchange. "We feel that there is a lot of opportunity for collaboration, a lot of opportunity for knowledge sharing," she said. This alignment supports AVPN's mission to connect diverse communities and promote shared learning.

The new hub aims to act as a bridge between West Asia and other parts of Asia. Batra explained that AVPN seeks to bring together different communities from across Asia to contribute and learn from the region's ethos of giving and service. The organisation plans to establish a training academy in Abu Dhabi to introduce global best practices to the region.

Significant progress has been made on commitments announced at the AVPN Global Conference 2024. Batra highlighted achievements in humanitarian aid and climate projects in Indonesia, including mangrove forest support along Indonesia’s coastline. These efforts demonstrate the UAE's dedication to delivering on its promises.

Batra also mentioned that AVPN is unique in connecting philanthropic capital with investment opportunities. The organisation collaborates with entities like Emirates Foundation and Ma’an to showcase social enterprises within the UAE, encouraging both local and international investments.

Encouraging Investment and Learning

The new hub provides a platform for Asian philanthropists to invest their capital in the UAE while allowing UAE philanthropists to learn from Asian best practices. This exchange aims to enhance social investment strategies across regions.

Batra described the social investment agenda as focusing on deploying capital towards impactful investments. It seeks not only financial returns but also social and community-based outcomes. This approach aligns with AVPN’s goal of creating meaningful change through strategic investments.

The establishment of AVPN's hub in Abu Dhabi marks a significant step towards enhancing collaboration between West Asia and other Asian regions. By fostering knowledge sharing and connecting philanthropic efforts, it aims to drive impactful social investments across borders.

With inputs from WAM