Philanthropy conference in Bangkok brings together Asian social investors

The largest international gathering of social investors in Asia is taking place in Bangkok at the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) Conference.
In partnership with the Khonthai Foundation, the event has attracted over 600 social investors from around the world, all committed to building the social sector ecosystem in Asia. The conference officially launches today with an inaugural address from former prime minister Anand Panyarachun.
The AVPN Conference brings together representatives from over 30 countries representing social investors across a diverse range of perspectives: international foundations like Rockefeller and Sasakawa Peace Foundation, local family offices and companies involved in philanthropy and impact investing, international corporates including Coca Cola, Google and Credit Suisse, and government agencies like USAID and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The more than 100 Speakers contributing to the three-day conference include thought leaders, innovators and practitioners from across the region including some of the most influential people driving the social sector in Thailand. Somkiat Tangkitvanich, president, Thailand Development Research Institute, will share insights on social investment in Thailand and Bandid Nijathaworn, president and CEO of the Thai Institute of Directors will be discussing “Examples of Collaborative Platforms for Social Investments in Thailand”.
The conference focuses on collaboration across social, corporate and government sectors touching on key social challenges faced by Asia. Helping to contextualise the discussions will be AVPN’s release of their latest research “The Social Investment Landscape in Asia”, a holistic study of current Asian philanthropy and social investment market across 14 regions including Thailand. The report, unveiled today, offers an overview of the societal needs across Asia, using the UN Sustainable Development Goals to map out key areas of focus where social investors can have the most impact.