AVPN, the largest network of social investors in Asia, has launched its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to AVPN, the launch of the organisation’s main hub for West Asia — or the Middle East — seeks to enhance funding opportunities in areas such as climate resilience, gender equity, health systems and youth empowerment.
The Nov 14 launch comes more than a year after AVPN held its annual Global Conference in Abu Dhabi. Held over three days in April 2024, it marked the first time in 11 years that the annual conference had left Southeast Asia.
The 2024 Abu Dhabi conference took place under the patronage of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council. Host partners also included the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, founded by the UAE’s second president.
In a statement, Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, says West Asia’s “values-driven approach to giving”, combined with the region’s “strategic position” connecting Asia, Europe and Africa, creates “unprecedented opportunities for collaboration”. “We’re here to build bridges, connecting West Asian investors with proven impact opportunities and facilitating partnerships that drive real change.”
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Speaking to The Edge Singapore in 2024, Batra said the UAE has a long history of philanthropy, “fuelled by belief, values and faith”. “We are, in AVPN, increasingly looking at how we bring these faith-based givers into a similar platform and ecosystem… West Asia is part of Asia, we don’t tend to recognise that we often talk about the Middle East, but really middle of what, and east of what? So, it is really a part of Asia.”
Achal Agarwal, chair of the AVPN board, says the establishment of the hub is a “statement of intent”. “West Asia holds immense potential to shape the future of impact investment across Asia, with its unique blend of deep-rooted giving traditions and a new generation of socially conscious investors.”
He adds: “By establishing a permanent presence in the UAE, AVPN is strengthening the bridge between purpose and capital, and ensuring that the region’s philanthropic heritage and innovation-led mindset plays a central role in advancing sustainable growth for the entire continent.”
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AVPN counts over 700 members across 43 markets. As an ecosystem builder, AVPN aims to increase the flow and effectiveness of financial, human, and intellectual capital in Asia by channeling resources towards impact.
AVPN took its 2025 Global Conference to Hong Kong in September. The next edition will be held in New Delhi, India in August 2026.
Read more about the AVPN Global Conference 2025:
‘Philanthropy should not be a band-aid’ for funding gaps: Philanthropy Asia Alliance CEO
Four Asian organisations among world’s top 20 ‘corporate givers’
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AVPN launches second phase of philanthropy platform ImpactCollab with MAS, Gates Foundation support (June)
AVPN launches social investing system in Abu Dhabi with MAS support (April 2024)
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‘A time of great uncertainty’ for the philanthropy sector: AVPN CEO (February)
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