Dompet Dhuafa Represents Indonesia at Asian Philanthropy Forum in Riyadh
Chief Research and Development of Dompet Dhuafa Prasetyo Wibowo represented Indonesia in the Commission on Asian Philanthropy forum held in Riyadh on 9-10 February 2026.
The forum served as a strategic meeting space for philanthropy leaders, policymakers, and strategic thinkers from various Asian countries to formulate directions for strengthening regional domestic philanthropy.
During two days of discussions, the commission examined the strategic framework for enhancing Asian philanthropy through two main phases. The first phase focused on social investment and increasing the quantity of philanthropy by strengthening transparency, promoting systematic fundraising growth, and expanding resource bases from individuals, corporations, and public funds.
The forum also identified several key factors to accelerate philanthropy growth in Asia. These factors included national-level leadership at 77 per cent, cross-sector professionalisation at 58 per cent, multi-stakeholder partnerships at 27 per cent, technology utilisation at 27 per cent, strengthening public trust at 19 per cent, and youth engagement at 12 per cent.
The commissioners emphasised regional collaboration as the foundation for strengthening the voice and contribution of Asian philanthropy in addressing strategic issues such as poverty, inequality, and sustainability. Philanthropy is expected to become an accelerator of economic growth, particularly in Asia.
Three key strengths of Asian values in Asian Philanthropy were identified: corporate capacity to build nationalism, the strength of community and family, and faith-based or religiosity.
At the event, several stakeholders from the Ministry of e-Commerce, Ministry of Investment, and Saudi Arabia’s Waqf Authority served as speakers in a round-table conference discussing philanthropy models that could be enhanced over the next 20 years.
“As a Ziswaf-based philanthropic institution that has operated for more than three decades, Dompet Dhuafa views the Commission on Philanthropy forum as an important opportunity to strengthen Indonesia’s position in the Asian philanthropy ecosystem,” Wibowo said.
Moving forward, Dompet Dhuafa is committed to continuing to promote research strengthening, standardisation, and cross-country collaboration to increase both the quantity and quality of impact of national philanthropy.
Indonesia’s participation in the strategic forum thus affirms that philanthropy practice based on Islamic values and community empowerment is a strategic key to realising a more inclusive and sustainable Asian philanthropy architecture.