# ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and AVPN Establish Regional Platform to Strengthen Corporate Social Investment and Cross-Sector Collaboration Across Southeast Asia

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/asean-business-advisory-council-asean-bac-and-avpn-establish-regional-platform-to-strengthen-corporate-social-investment-and-cross-sector-collaboration-across-southeast-asia
- Published: 2026-05-28T09:06:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

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_Official launch at the AVPN Global Conference 2026 in India to position ASEAN as
a leading voice in corporate social investment; ASEAN leadership dialogue planned
for the __ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) _

SINGAPORE, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-
BAC) and AVPN today announced the establishment of the ASEAN CSR Working Group, 
a regional platform aimed at mobilising corporate philanthropy, Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR), and broader corporate capital, while supporting regional policy
dialogue, ecosystem collaboration, and knowledge exchange across ASEAN. This initiative
positions the private sector as a key partner in advancing sustainable and inclusive
economic transformation in the region. AVPN, Asia’s largest network of social investors,
will serve as Secretariat, convening corporate leaders, philanthropic organisations,
investors, and ecosystem partners across the region.

Southeast Asia is entering a critical decade for sustainable economic transformation.
The region is home to more than 70 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises(
MSMEs), accounting for over 97% of all businesses. Yet, many face structural barriers
to scaling, including limited access to mentorship, markets, and capital. Current
approaches to CSR and corporate social investment remain fragmented across ASEAN
markets, with inconsistent definitions, implementation, and limited coordination
across corporates, funders, and ecosystem actors. At the same time, demand for private
capital to address regional priorities such as climate transition, health resilience,
and inclusive economic growth is rising. This underscores the need for more coordinated
and catalytic deployment of capital.

The ASEAN CSR Working Group is designed to address these gaps, marking a significant
milestone in strengthening regional collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement.
It reflects a broader ambition to strengthen ASEAN’s regional ecosystem architecture
for corporate sustainability, social investment, and cross-sector collaboration.
At the same time, it serves as a trusted platform for regional policy dialogue, 
strategic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and more coordinated deployment of 
capital among business leaders, philanthropic organisations, policymakers, investors,
and ecosystem partners. It also reinforces the private sector’s role in supporting
ASEAN’s sustainable development priorities.

By connecting ASEAN-BAC’s institutional influence with AVPN’s regional investment
network – spanning corporates, foundations, impact funds, family offices, and development
partners across more than 40 markets – the ASEAN CSR Working Group aims to mobilise
corporate partnerships and philanthropic resources, enabling catalytic partnerships
and cross-border ecosystem collaboration across ASEAN. It will also strengthen and**
serve as the strategic engine to ensure that ASEAN-BAC’s legacy projects have the
long-term capital and policy support they need. **

"This collaboration reflects a critical shift from fragmented efforts to a more 
coordinated, regional approach to corporate social investment. By linking ASEAN’s
institutional leadership with AVPN’s ecosystem of capital providers, we can help
unlock catalytic capital at scale and position Southeast Asia as a leading hub for
corporate-driven impact. ASEAN is one of the fastest-growing markets globally, and
its corporate leaders have a real opportunity to shape the future of sustainability
and philanthropy through collective regional action," said **Achal Agarwal, Chair
at AVPN**.

"As Secretariat to the ASEAN CSR Working Group, AVPN brings the strength of our 
regional network to connect corporate leaders, investors and philanthropies, and
advance regional dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning across ASEAN," added**
Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN**. "We are seeing growing momentum among corporates
to move beyond traditional CSR towards more intentional and impact-driven social
investment. Together with ASEAN-BAC, we aim to build long-term regional collaboration
and enable more strategic deployment of capital to support the region’s sustainable
and inclusive growth."

"By establishing this Working Group, ASEAN-BAC is strengthening regional collaboration
through more connected ecosystem engagement and multi-stakeholder dialogue. We are
creating a regional platform to ensure that corporate capital isn’t just deployed,
but is supportive of ASEAN’s broader sustainable development priorities and regional
collaboration efforts. We are not just launching a group; we are encouraging stronger
regional collaboration and more strategic approaches to corporate social investment
across ASEAN," said **Rifki Weno, Executive Director of ASEAN-BAC**. "Through the
ASEAN CSR Working Group, we aim to better align private sector action with regional
priorities, while strengthening partnerships and unlocking capital flows to accelerate
inclusive and sustainable growth across Southeast Asia."

The Working Group builds on early corporate engagement efforts led by AVPN across
key ASEAN markets, including Singapore and Vietnam, which surfaced a clear need 
for greater regional collaboration, shared learning, and more strategic approaches
to scaling corporate social investment. These engagements highlighted a growing 
shift from fragmented, programme-based giving towards more integrated and strategic
deployment of corporate capital. Further engagements will be convened across ASEAN
markets through both in-person and virtual formats.

Beyond convening, AVPN will lead knowledge and capacity-building initiatives, ecosystem
engagement, and the development of corporate excellence frameworks to recognise 
leadership in social innovation.

The **ASEAN CSR Working Group** will convene high-level dialogues at two key milestones
in 2026:

 ◦ The **official launch at the AVPN Global Conference 2026 in India **this 25 to
   27 August, positioning ASEAN as a leading voice in advancing corporate social
   investment and catalytic capital on the global stage; and
 ◦ An **ASEAN CSR Leadership Dialogue at the AVPN Southeast Asia Summit 2026, **
   convened as a side event ahead of the** ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS)**
   in November 2026, focused on strengthening regional dialogue, ecosystem collaboration,
   and partnership opportunities across sectors.

The establishment of the** ASEAN CSR Working Group** underscores ASEAN-BAC and AVPN’s
shared vision to strengthen regional collaboration, ecosystem engagement, and cross-
sector partnerships across Southeast Asia. Through more strategic social investment
and coordinated regional action, the Working Group aims to shape the next decade
of inclusive growth, one that benefits both people and the environment.

**About AVPN**

AVPN is the largest network of social investors in Asia, comprising over 700 diverse
members across 43 markets. Our mission is to increase the flow and effectiveness
of financial, human, and

intellectual capital in Asia by enabling members to channel resources towards impact.
As an ecosystem builder, AVPN enables its members to connect, learn, act, and lead
social impact efforts across key pillars while improving the effectiveness of deployed
capital, bringing local field needs, regional expertise, and policy insights to 
the forefront. For more information about AVPN and our work, please visit our website
and read our latest [Annual Review 2024-25](http://google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://avpn.asia/annual-review/&ust=1769267040000000&usg=AOvVaw1-OaxN2NG_MxyDqb9GlRAv&hl=en-GB&source=gmail).

**About ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC)**

The ASEAN Business Advisory Council is the official private sector body mandated
by ASEAN leaders to provide strategic business insights and policy recommendations
that support regional economic integration and sustainable growth. Established in
2003, ASEAN-BAC serves as a platform connecting governments, businesses, and stakeholders
across Southeast Asia to strengthen trade, investment, digital transformation, sustainability,
and inclusive development. Through dialogues, initiatives, and cross-border collaborations,
ASEAN-BAC promotes a competitive, resilient, and people-centered ASEAN economy. 
The council also champions MSME development, innovation, and public-private partnerships
to enhance regional connectivity and economic opportunities for businesses of all
sizes.

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