The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and AVPN have announced the creation of the ASEAN CSR Working Group, a regional platform designed to enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR) and investment across Southeast Asia. This initiative, unveiled at the AVPN Global Conference 2026 in India, seeks to mobilise corporate philanthropy and capital, supporting regional policy dialogue and collaboration.
Southeast Asia, home to over 70 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), faces challenges such as limited access to mentorship and capital. The ASEAN CSR Working Group aims to address these issues by fostering a more coordinated approach to CSR, which has been fragmented across the region. The platform will serve as a hub for policy dialogue, strategic collaboration, and knowledge exchange among business leaders, philanthropic organisations, and investors.
Achal Agarwal, Chair at AVPN, highlighted the opportunity for corporate leaders to shape the future of sustainability and philanthropy through collective regional action. Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, emphasised the growing momentum among corporates to move beyond traditional CSR towards impact-driven social investment.
The initiative will also focus on strengthening partnerships and unlocking capital flows to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth. High-level dialogues are planned for the AVPN Southeast Asia Summit 2026 and the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit, further positioning ASEAN as a leader in corporate social investment.
By linking ASEAN’s institutional leadership with AVPN’s network, the ASEAN CSR Working Group aims to unlock catalytic capital and position Southeast Asia as a hub for corporate-driven impact.
