Office of Development Affairs Hosts Sessions at Investopia 2025 on the Future of Philanthropy
ABU DHABI: The Office of Development Affairs (ODA) at the Presidential Court hosted a discussion session and a roundtable on the future of philanthropy at Investopia 2025. The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, focused on the power of philanthropy to drive global change.
Shaping the Future of Philanthropy
Under the theme “Harnessing MegaForces,” Investopia 2025 gathered global leaders and changemakers to discuss innovative ways to enhance philanthropy’s social impact. The ODA sessions emphasized the importance of strategic giving, collaboration, and innovation to maximize the effectiveness of charitable efforts worldwide.
Key Discussion: Capital for Good
The session “Capital for Good: The Future of Philanthropy” explored how donors can diversify their philanthropic efforts and work closely with organizations to create sustainable and impactful solutions.
The panel featured distinguished speakers, including:
- Badr Jafar, UAE’s Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy
- Baroness Ariane de Rothschild, CEO of Edmond de Rothschild Group, Switzerland
- Tsitsi Masiyiwa, President of Higher Life Foundation and Delta Charitable Foundation, UK
- Dr. Alfonso Garcia Mora, Regional Vice President for Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean
Badr Jafar highlighted the evolution of philanthropy and the need for innovative funding models, stating,
“Philanthropy is entering a new era, defined by innovation, strategic capital deployment, and measurable impact. The UAE is becoming a global hub for philanthropy, leveraging technology and AI to transform giving from traditional donations to catalytic capital that drives systemic change.”
Roundtable on Impact Investing
The roundtable, titled “From Niche to Norm: The Future of Impact Investing,” brought together government leaders, CEOs, investors, and civil society representatives to discuss how modern investment strategies can enhance social progress.
Key points included:
- Mainstream adoption of impact investing
- Transparency and data-driven impact tracking
- Blended finance models for scalable solutions
With trillions in wealth expected to be transferred in the coming decades, the roundtable emphasized how impact investing is shaping the future of finance by integrating profitability with social responsibility.
Conclusion: A New Era of Giving
Investopia 2025 showcased philanthropy’s potential to drive global change. By combining strategic funding, technology, and cross-sector collaboration, the UAE is leading efforts to create a more sustainable and impactful future for philanthropy.
