On September 9 – 11, 2025, The Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) hosted its Global Conference in Hong Kong.

This international conference brings together stakeholders from across Asia who are involved in social impact investment, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and policy-making. 1,500 attendees include donors, government officials, non-profit organizations, and social entrepreneurs. The theme for the conference was “Asian Leadership for an Inclusive World.”

A-PAD CEO Kenro Onishi recently spoke at an AVPN session titled, “Crisis as Catalyst: How Communities Lead in Times of Disruption.” During his address, Onishi detailed the origins of Japan Platform, an initiative created to support Japanese NGOs facing financial challenges by fostering collaboration between the government and the private sector. He underscored the critical need for NGOs to possess both flexibility and a robust crisis response capability.

Onishi also highlighted the work of A-PAD, a multi-agency platform established to enhance disaster response across Asia. He explained how A-PAD strengthens regional resilience by building collaborative platforms in various countries. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of promoting intra-Asian collaboration and ensuring the long-term sustainability of these efforts through partnerships with funders and emerging startups.

The conference served as a platform for representatives from diverse organizations to discuss potential joint projects and explore funding opportunities. Discussions centered on directing capital toward solving social challenges, developing sustainable business models, and addressing critical global issues, such as climate change, within the unique social, economic, and cultural context of Asia.