The Rockefeller Foundation has announced a US$200,000 grant through its Asia Regional Office to support AVPN’s new Asia Partnership for Investment in Resilient Economies (ASPIRE), an initiative aimed at strengthening development finance and supporting vulnerable communities across Asia. ASPIRE seeks to scale Asian-led financing solutions that address regional development challenges while connecting capital to community-driven efforts, helping to improve livelihoods and promote sustainable economic opportunities. The initiative is particularly focused on closing Asia’s US$2.5 trillion Sustainable Development Goals financing gap ahead of the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
ASPIRE brings together leaders from government, philanthropy, development finance, and the private sector to align regional priorities and shape inclusive, sustainable finance pathways. A high-level convening at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center earlier this year gathered 22 leaders to discuss strategies for community-driven development and the integration of policy and investment. These discussions have informed the preparation of an Outcomes Report, an Action Brief for the 2026 IMF and World Bank Meetings, and the creation of a High-Level Ambassador Group to drive regional coordination and engagement in global finance forums.
The initiative’s ambassador-led engagements aim to ensure that Asia’s priorities are represented and influential in major global policy and finance platforms, including the United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Financing Development Forum, COP30, AsiaXchange 2025, and the 2025 IMF and World Bank Fall Meetings. By emphasizing local leadership and community-led solutions, ASPIRE seeks to translate regional expertise and policy priorities into actionable investment frameworks, closing the gap between capital flows and the development needs of Asia’s most vulnerable populations.
The Rockefeller Foundation’s support underscores its broader commitment to advancing climate resilience, inclusive growth, and sustainable finance, while fostering cross-sector collaboration to expand economic opportunities in the region. AVPN, the initiative’s lead partner, is Asia’s largest network of social investors, connecting over 600 funders across 33 markets to increase the effectiveness of financial, human, and intellectual capital for impact. Through ASPIRE, both organizations aim to position Asia as a regional leader in shaping global development finance discussions and policies.
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