- Six new Calls to Action (CTAs) – backed by innovative financing models – aimed at combating climate change, improving education, and strengthening public healthcare systems
- CTA Lead Partners are Clime Capital, Jameel Institute, Sinar Mas, Tanoto Foundation, Temasek Foundation, and UBS Optimus Foundation
Singapore, 5 October 2022 – Six new Calls to Action (CTAs) were launched at the second annual Philanthropy Asia Summit (PAS) organised by Temasek Trust (TT) and Temasek Foundation (TF) on 30 September in Singapore. Curated with key partners, the CTAs aim to mobilise financial support and resources to address issues centred around three focus areas – Climate Action & Sustainable Communities, Inclusive Education and Resilient Healthcare.
PAS 2022 demonstrated its impact in driving multi-stakeholder collaboration and bringing in catalytic philanthropic capital to pilot and scale innovative solutions for urgent challenges in climate change, education, and healthcare for Asia and the world.
The Jameel Institute-Kenneth C. Griffin Initiative for the Economics of Pandemic Preparedness was announced at the Summit. Co-funded by a £3 million gift from Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin, and a separate gift from Community Jameel, the initiative will use pioneering integrated economic-epidemiological modelling to provide critical data and analysis to inform public health decisions related to pandemic preparedness and disease outbreaks around the world. This multi-stakeholder, multi-country initiative brings together Imperial College London’s epidemiologists, economists, and data modellers; researchers from the World Health Organisation and Singapore’s National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response (PREPARE), as well as Sweden’s Umeå University. This CTA seeks further funding from partners for work which could save millions of lives in the next pandemic.
UBS Optimus Foundation committed US$2M out of the US$10M needed towards its CTA – “Asia Higher Education Accessibility”. This CTA will identify, support, and scale solutions to provide inclusive, fair, and affordable financing to students in tertiary education, and have the potential to bridge the financing gap that government funding and scholarships may not fill. It will focus on investible solutions to ensure long-term sustainability and drive more capital to scale impact.
The potential impact of blended finance in advancing solutions for climate action was also highlighted at PAS 2022.
Clime Capital will provide US$2M and is also mobilising another US$1.395M of grants and other funding needed for its CTA, the “Regional Energy Management Initiative (REMI)”, which aims to support deployment of energy efficiency and demand-side management technologies in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. REMI will promote more resilient and energy-efficient economic growth by crowding in more investment for the low-carbon transition while creating new jobs in clean technology and helping these countries achieve their emissions reductions target. With this initial funding to demonstrate the commercial viability and potential for scaling up of the projects, Clime Capital seeks to attract and mobilise more capital from across the philanthropic, private, and public sectors to accelerate decarbonisation.
[For the full list of CTAs and partner quotes, see Annex A]
Mr Ng Boon Heong, CEO, Temasek Foundation, and Deputy CEO, Temasek Trust, said, “Catalytic change demands the collaboration and action of the entire philanthropic ecosystem, and that is what we aimed to foster at the Philanthropy Asia Summit with our Calls to Action. By working together across sectors and geographies to activate these Calls to Action, we will be able to advance innovative solutions to address the complex challenges facing us today, and to sustainably uplift communities and protect the planet. Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our partners for leading our Calls to Action to scale impact in Asia and beyond.”
A key highlight at PAS 2022 was the announcement of the initiation of the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) which aims to catalyse collective action for a better world and prime Asia as a force for the greater good. Over US$200M has been committed by early core members – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalio Philanthropies, Li Ka Shing Foundation, four companies of Sinar Mas, Tanoto Foundation, and Temasek Trust – and other partners and supporters. The World Economic Forum is a strategic partner. [Refer to Annex B for the announcement]
PAS 2022 had over 300 attendees from more than 20 countries. They included principals and heads of global and regional philanthropies, family offices, next-generation philanthropists, and leaders from the public, private, and people sectors.
For more information on PAS, the conference programme, and calls to action, please visit philanthropyxchange.sg/pas/.
About Temasek Trust
Established by Temasek Holdings in 2007, Temasek Trust is a steward of philanthropic endowments and gifts from Temasek and other donors. It strives to deliver sustainable funding for the long-term well-being and security of our communities. Temasek Trust provides governance and financial oversight of endowments for Temasek Foundation, Stewardship Asia Centre, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory and Mandai Nature. The work at Temasek Trust supports a common purpose of doing good, uplifting lives, fostering inclusive communities, and advancing science and technology for a more liveable world. Temasek Trust strives also to inspire and enable giving, and to forge new pathways for philanthropy and impact investing. For more information, please visit www.temasektrust.org.sg
About Temasek Foundation
Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and communities in Asia, including Singapore. Temasek Foundation’s programmes are made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Temasek, as well as gifts and other contributions from various other donors. These programmes strive to deliver positive outcomes for individuals and communities now, and for generations to come. Collectively, Temasek Foundation’s programmes strengthen social resilience; foster international exchange and catalyse regional capabilities; advance science and protect the planet. For more information, please visit www.temasekfoundation.org.sg.
Media Contacts
| George Fitzherbert-Brockholes | Tess Chia |
| Sanctuary Counsel | Director, Advocacy & Partnerships |
| [email protected] | [email protected] |
[ANNEX A] Philanthropy Asia Summit Calls to Action
CTA Focus Area: Climate Action & Sustainable Communities
CTA LEAD PARTNER: CLIME CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
CTA: Regional Energy Management Initiative (REMI)
| Clime Capital Management and Village Energy are developing the Regional Energy Management Initiative (REMI) to support the deployment of energy efficiency (EE) and demand-side management (DSM) technologies in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The initiative will help Southeast Asian technologies balance economic growth with meeting critical emission targets. | |
| Desired Outcomes | • Reduce ‘carbon lock-in’ from regional grid systems that face growing peak load • Reduce carbon emissions by at least 10 million tonnes of C02 equivalent • Create savings for commercial and industrial customers, utilities, and residential power consumers • Drive more investments in energy efficiency and demand-side management sectors |
| Total Funding Required | US$5.395M (US$2M committed by Clime Capital Management & US$1.395M from grants and other funding) |
| Supporting Partner | Village Energy |
| Geographic Focus | Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam |
| Quote | Mason Wallick, Managing Director, Clime Capital, said: "Southeast Asia is among the world's regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The key to accelerating the low-carbon transition without harming economic progress is to embrace clean energy solutions on a large scale. Clime Capital's strategy of crowding in early-stage risk capital to fund promising technologies and companies is proving to be effective -- and we are generating a return far in excess of public-sector ratios. We wouldn't have reached this key stage of development without the generous funding from our philanthropic donors." |
| To find out more about this CTA, visit this link. | |
CTA LEAD PARTNER: SINAR MAS
CTA: Improving Community Livelihoods through Biofuel Production
| Jatropha has long been positioned as a high yielding oil crop without the food vs fuel conflict. The major focus of Jatropha is to produce oil for biodiesel (a less carbon- intensive fuel). JOil, a joint venture founded by Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, has conducted significant research and development into Jatropha, resulting in new high-yielding seeds, a refined agronomic approach, and a whole plant utilisation approach to maximise revenue generation from the plant. In this project, Sinar Mas couples the exploration of an enhanced Jatropha value chain with new economic opportunities for rural communities. | |
| Desired Outcomes | • Create economic opportunities for local communities through diversified income streams. • Incentivise sustainable land management of marginal/degraded lands by local communities, thereby reducing risk of fires. • Better environmental management will result in a further drop in deforestation. • Contribute to the research and development and supply of renewable, less carbon intensive alternative biofuel. |
| Total Funding Required | US$42M (US$2M committed by Sinar Mars) |
| Supporting Partner | JOil (S) Pte Ltd |
| Geographic Focus | Indonesia |
| Quote | A spokesperson for Sinar Mas said: “The desire of the Sinar Mas companies to participate in the PAA, and to lead in a Call to Action is because we know the PAA will allow us to scale our various philanthropic activities.” |
| To find out more about this CTA, visit this link. | |
CTA Focus Area: Inclusive Education
CTA LEAD PARTNER: TANOTO FOUNDATION
CTA: Unlocking Potential: Early Years Childhood Development
| Investment in early childhood and education development (ECD) programming has the highest social and economic return potential, but there are differing levels of commitment and investment in the space in Southeast Asia and Asia in general. Tanoto Foundation aims to leverage its learning experience to increase awareness of the importance of early years investment and create contextualised ECD models for the Southeast Asia region. | |
| Desired Outcomes | • Expanding regional ECD landscaping and contextualisation of applicable, efficient, effective, scalable, and sustainable ECD model in target countries across Southeast Asia (priority) and the larger Asian region, based on the Nurturing Care Framework. • Increasing access to quality ECD services, especially for children of age 0 to 3 years old, in Indonesia and China, and the target countries in Southeast Asia, and the larger Asia region. • Establishment of a working, active, and collaborative network of philanthropy organisations across Southeast Asia and the larger Asian region, that is committed to model, advocate, and advance ECD progress in their respective countries. |
| Total Funding Required | US$10.25M (US$2M committed by Tanoto Foundation) |
| Geographic Focus | Indonesia, China, and other countries in Southeast Asia (potentially either Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, or Vietnam) |
| To find out more about this CTA, visit this link. | |
CTA LEAD PARTNER: UBS OPTIMUS FOUNDATION
CTA: Asia Higher Education Accessibility
| UBS Optimus Foundation, through the Asia Higher Education Accessibility, aims to help underserved students, particularly from low-income backgrounds, gain access to high-quality tertiary education that is relevant for labour market needs, and therefore leading to employment. Asia Higher Education Accessibility will identify, support, and scale solutions that provide inclusive, fair, and affordable financing to students in tertiary education (higher education and vocational training) and have the potential to bridge the financing gap that government funding and scholarships may not fill. | |
| Desired Outcomes | • Design student financing solutions based on the student’s potential to thrive in the future instead of their present circumstances • Focus on solutions that are investible to ensure long term sustainability and drive more capital to scale the impact |
| Total Funding Required | US$10M (US$2M committed by UBS Optimus Foundation) |
| Supporting Partner | 1. Algot Enevoldsen Foundation 2. Octava Foundation |
| Geographic Focus | Asia |
| Quote | Tom Hall, Global Head of Social Impact & Philanthropy Services at UBS: “UBS Optimus Foundation is delighted to commit USD 2 million to launch our inaugural Asia Higher Education Fund. This exciting Fund will focus on student financing solutions based on the student’s potential to thrive in the future instead of their present circumstances. The intention is for these models to be investible to ensure long term sustainability and drive more capital to scale the impact. USD 1 million has been committed to identify the best solutions through a global Tertiary Education Financing Prize. Another USD 1 million will support initiatives in Singapore, which will include feasibility studies, pilots, and impact assessments, to achieve successes that benefit the rest of Asia.” |
| To find out more about this CTA, visit this link. | |
CTA Focus Area: Resilient Healthcare
CTA LEAD PARTNER: JAMEEL INSTITUTE
CTA: Economics of Pandemic Preparedness Initiative
| The Jameel Institute at Imperial College London, in partnership with Singapore’s National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response (PREPARE), aims to forge the world’s first initiative on integrated epidemiological-economic modelling of pandemic preparedness. | |
| Desired Outcomes | • Scientific advancement of integrated epidemiological-economic modelling for pandemic preparedness, improving on epidemiological and economic modelling of dynamic effects, behavioral responses, transmission at workplaces, and more. • Online pandemic preparedness dashboard for 150+ countries, calculating the return-on-investment for alternative pandemic preparedness interventions and hypothetical pandemics varying in transmissibility and severity. • Case studies on specific countries and topical issues, using in- depth modelling of topical issues in pandemic preparedness in selected countries, working closely with national governmental and academic partners. • Capacity building, working with the next generation of leaders to build capacity in using in integrated economic-epidemiological modelling for making good policy decisions. In addition, webinars and other educational and informative content will be created to support regional policy makers and public health professionals.This 'pyramid' approach ensures that the project can reach multiple key stakeholders. |
| Total Funding Required | US$8.7M[US$4.2M committed by Community Jameel; US$4.2M committed by Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin] |
| Supporting Partner | 1. Community Jameel 2. National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Singapore 3. Umea School of Business, Economics and Statistics, Sweden 4. World Health Organization |
| Geographic Focus | 1. Global (online pandemic preparedness dashboard for 150+ countries that calculates return-on-investment to pandemic preparedness under varying assumptions) 2. Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, and potentially the Philippines and/or Mexico (in-depth case studies on topical issues in pandemic preparedness) |
| Quote | George Richards, director of Community Jameel: "We are very proud to be partnering with the Jameel Institute at Imperial College and Kenneth C. Griffin to launch the Jameel Institute-Kenneth C. Griffin Initiative for the Economics of Pandemic Preparedness - a pioneering initiative which will revolutionize global public health mechanisms in response to pandemics and ensure that scientists and policymakers are equipped with the necessary data to minimize the health and economic impact of future pandemics. At Community Jameel, one of our primary aims is to work with partners to drive scientific breakthroughs and scale them to a global level to help communities thrive. The Philanthropy Asia Summit offers a unique platform to form crucial partnerships which will drive forward innovative solutions across health, climate change, and education to address pressing human challenges." |
| To find out more about this CTA, visit this link. | |
CTA LEAD PARTNER: TEMASEK FOUNDATION
CTA: Genomics for KIDS in ASEAN
| Genomics for KIDS in ASEAN is a three-year programme that leverages the expertise of SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal and Child Research Institute to bring genomic technologies to the underserved populations of ASEAN. | |
| Desired Outcomes | • More underserved patients in ASEAN with serious undiagnosed medical conditions have access to genomic sequencing and diagnosis, utilising cutting-edge genomic technologies, ending their diagnostic odyssey, and connecting them with appropriate treatment and care. • Increased regional capacity and capability to provide care for patients with rare genetic diseases, through establishing a network of physicians, nurses, and genetic counselors, and providing relevant genomic education. • Improved understanding of rare genetic diseases in ASEAN, through the establishment of an ASEAN-specific genomic database, potentially leading to discovery of novel genes and therapies. |
| Total Funding Required | US$4.2M (US$2M committed by Temasek Foundation; $210,743 committed by SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) |
| Supporting Partner | MCHRI |
| Geographic Focus | ASEAN |
| To find out more about this CTA, visit this link. | |
To indicate interest in these Calls to Action, please email [email protected]
[ANNEX B] PHILANTHROPY ASIA ALLIANCE ANNOUNCEMENT
Philanthropy Asia Alliance initiated
to Prime Asia as a Force for the Greater Good
- Over US$200M committed in weeks, reflecting readiness for initiative to catalyse philanthropic partnerships to act for the greater good in Asia
- Early Core Members comprise Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalio Philanthropies, Li Ka Shing Foundation, four companies of Sinar Mas, Tanoto Foundation, and Temasek Trust
- World Economic Forum joining as strategic partner
Singapore, 30 September 2022 – Temasek Trust announced the initiation of Philanthropy Asia Alliance (the “Alliance”) at the annual Philanthropy Asia Summit (the “Summit”).
The new not-for-profit initiative aims to catalyse collective action for a better world, and prime Asia as a force for the greater good. It will work to develop thought and action leadership in philanthropy and enable scalable impact through multi-sector partnerships and alliances.
Asia is a vibrant and diverse region with 60% of the world’s population. Its scale and development profile present considerable and unprecedented opportunity. Yet, it is also a region with vast economic inequality and pressing social as well as environmental issues, making it a natural testbed for new philanthropic models to deliver impact at scale.
The concept of an Alliance was prompted by calls for a more sustainable effort to address today’s complex challenges by mobilising resources, capabilities, and domain expertise in a more coordinated and outcome-focused way to develop Asia-specific solutions.
Early Core Members comprise Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalio Philanthropies, Li Ka Shing Foundation, four companies of Sinar Mas, Tanoto Foundation, and Temasek Trust.
To date, the early Core Members, pathfinder partners and supporters have committed over US$200 million to catalyse collective action for good. This includes a commitment of US$100 million from Temasek Trust to underwrite the setting up of the Alliance’s infrastructure, and build capabilities to forge partnerships, develop knowledge, and catalyse Calls to Action (CTAs).
Discussions are ongoing with several other interested parties. Members and partners can provide funding, in-kind support, or lead an area of interest leveraging their domain expertise or organisational capabilities.
“The Philanthropy Asia Alliance signals changes we are seeing in the philanthropy ecosystem in Asia. The readiness to collaborate, bias for action, and new funding models mean our pooled resources will be flexible and nimble as we develop solutions that can scale good in Asia. I thank our founding members, as well as other pathfinder partners and supporters, for their vote of confidence and our trust in each other to uplift Planet, Peace, People, and Progress,” said Ms Ho Ching, Chairman, Temasek Trust.
The World Economic Forum is a strategic partner to help build communities of interest, purpose, and action; drive impact to uplift people and planet through curated projects and programmes; as well as develop leaders in philanthropy by advancing regional capacity and capabilities.
“Asia offers a significant opportunity to deliver collaborative and sustainable impact at scale. The Philanthropy Asia Alliance aims to leverage and mobilise philanthropic capital to catalyse innovative solutions to tackle existential challenges in Asia and beyond. We welcome more like-minded members and partners to join us in this action-oriented alliance,” said Ms Lim Seok Hui, CEO, Philanthropy Asia Alliance.
Convening the Philanthropic Ecosystem for Collaboration and Action
The initiation of the Alliance was announced at Philanthropy Asia Summit 2022. Over 300 in-person and virtual Summit participants came from more than 20 countries. They included principals and heads of global and regional philanthropies, family offices, next-generation philanthropists, and leaders from the public, private, and people sectors.
Organised by Temasek Trust and Temasek Foundation, the Summit aims to catalyse multi-sector partnerships to activate CTAs on the three key themes of climate action and sustainable communities, inclusive education, and resilient healthcare. This year, six curated CTAs were launched by lead partners with specific experience and domain expertise. They comprise, in alphabetical order:
- Clime Capital Management
- - Regional Energy Management Initiative;
- Jameel Institute
- - Economics of Pandemic Preparedness Initiative;
- Sinar Mas
- - Improving Community Livelihoods through Biofuel Production;
- Tanoto Foundation
- - Unlocking Potential: Early Years Childhood Development;
- Temasek Foundation
- - Genomics for KIDS in ASEAN; and
- UBS Optimus Foundation
- - Asia Higher Education Accessibility.
Fireside chats featured Mr Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Republic of Singapore, who spoke on the growth of Singapore’s philanthropic ecosystem and the rise of new giving models such as blended finance, as well as Pak Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia, who covered healthcare transformation in Indonesia and regional cooperation.
Other key speakers and panellists included:
- Dr Harald Link, Chairman, B.Grimm
- Mr Lucio Tan III, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, LT Group
- Ms Shamina Singh, Founder and President, Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth; Executive Vice President, Sustainability, Mastercard
- Assoc Prof Ng Kee Chong, Adviser, SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal and Child Health Research Institute; Chairman, Medical Board, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Mr Tom Hall, Global Head, Social Impact and Philanthropy, UBS AG
- Ms Elizabeth Cousens, President and Chief Executive Officer, UN Foundation
- Prof Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum
- Ms Neo Gim Huay, Managing Director, Centre for Nature and Climate, World Economic Forum
