BANGKOK, Thailand – KASIKORNTHAI Foundation, in partnership with the Commission on Asian Philanthropy, hosted a high-level forum, “Asia’s Philanthropic Future: Catalyzing Growth and Partnership,” on October 17, 2026, at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, as an official side event of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings.
The forum brought together more than 100 policymakers, development leaders, philanthropists, and business executives to enhance regional cooperation and align philanthropic investments with development priorities.
The event also marked the launch of the Thai-language edition of the Commission’s Interim Report, which estimates domestic monetary giving at US$109 billion in 2024 and projects contributions could exceed US$1 trillion over the next decade.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat outlined opportunities for philanthropy to advance environmental sustainability, community development, research, and innovation.
KASIKORNTHAI Foundation Chairperson Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul emphasized the importance of regional knowledge-sharing and sustained collaboration. Commission Co-Convenors Dr. Gabriel Leung and Ichiro Kabasawa addressed ways to strengthen philanthropic partnerships across Asia.
Tencent Charity Foundation Secretary-General Dr. Xiao Liming discussed the role of digital technology in community development. KASIKORNBANK Chairman Emeritus Banthoon Lamsam introduced the Nan Sandbox initiative, which integrates forest restoration with sustainable livelihoods, education, and healthcare.
A panel featuring World Bank Group Director Arturo Franco, TDRI President Dr. Somkiat Tangkitvanich, Temasek Foundation CEO NG Boon Heong, and Yayasan Hasanah Managing Director Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki explored strategies to scale local initiatives through cross-sector cooperation.
World Bank Group Vice President for Planet Chen Guangzhe concluded by highlighting the collaboration with the Foundation and Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council on a pilot Natural Capital Accounting in Nan Province to establish evidence-based models to crowd in broader public and private finance. (NNT)
