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Philanthropy's contribution to global development extends well beyond capital. This was a recurring theme during my engagements in Bangkok, where discussions centred on how philanthropy can work more effectively with governments, businesses and development institutions to address complex challenges. At the inaugural World Bank Group Philanthropy Forum, held alongside the IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings, I joined more than 200 leaders from philanthropic organisations, family offices and development institutions to exchange perspectives on the evolving role of philanthropy in global development. Co-convened by The World Bank Group with AVPN, the Institute of Philanthropy, the OECD's netFWD and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance, the Forum also marked the launch of the World Bank Group Philanthropy Hub. In a panel discussion with Paschal Donohoe of the World Bank Group and Naina Subberwal Batra of AVPN, moderated by Arturo Franco of the World Bank Group, I shared my perspectives on philanthropy's distinctive catalytic role. While modest relative to public and private finance, philanthropic capital has the flexibility to take risks others may not yet be prepared to bear. Through innovative financing approaches, philanthropy can help absorb risks, mobilise additional capital and support promising solutions with the potential to scale. Equally important is philanthropy's ability to convene partners, build capabilities, support innovation and strengthen ecosystems. Working alongside governments, businesses and development institutions, these efforts can help create the conditions for lasting impact. I also had the pleasure of meeting Thailand's Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, to exchange perspectives on regional challenges and opportunities, and how closer cross-sector collaboration can advance sustainable development across Asia. This spirit of collaboration also underpins Temasek Trust's new strategic partnership with the World Bank Group. Drawing on our respective expertise, networks and capabilities, we will explore opportunities to strengthen knowledge exchange, mobilise resources, and advance solutions across water, agriculture, health, climate and energy. The conversations in Bangkok have been constructive, but the real test lies in what follows. We must build trust through action, sustain the momentum for collaboration and translate promising ideas into solutions that deliver meaningful and lasting impact.

"You cannot understand a system until you try to change it." Complex challenges rarely unfold in neat, predictable ways. Addressing them requires more than a series of standalone projects. It requires the ability to learn, adapt, and respond as conditions change. That is where a portfolio approach can make a difference. By connecting interventions around a shared intent, a portfolio allows learning from one part of the system to inform action elsewhere, and resources to shift as new evidence emerges. In Dhangadhi, Nepal, a shortage of bamboo for a skills-training initiative became an opportunity to adapt. The city established a bamboo nursery, creating a local supply while also helping to protect some vulnerable riverbanks from flooding. Resources from less viable initiatives were redirected to strengthen the programme. What this shows is the value of learning and adaptation. A portfolio approach sees setbacks as signals, and guides capital towards the most promising pathways toward impact. Explore how a portfolio approach can help philanthropy connect, learn, and adapt in 'From Silos to Systems, Projects to Portfolios', a new paper by Temasek Trust and UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub (Accelerator Labs): https://lnkd.in/gv8tev2b

"You cannot understand a system until you try to change it." Complex challenges rarely unfold in neat, predictable ways. Addressing them requires more than a series of standalone projects. It requires the ability to learn, adapt, and respond as conditions change. That is where a portfolio approach can make a difference. By connecting interventions around a shared intent, a portfolio allows learning from one part of the system to inform action elsewhere, and resources to shift as new evidence emerges. In Dhangadhi, Nepal, a shortage of bamboo for a skills-training initiative became an opportunity to adapt. The city established a bamboo nursery, creating a local supply while also helping to protect some vulnerable riverbanks from flooding. Resources from less viable initiatives were redirected to strengthen the programme. What this shows is the value of learning and adaptation. A portfolio approach sees setbacks as signals, and guides capital towards the most promising pathways toward impact. Explore how a portfolio approach can help philanthropy connect, learn, and adapt in 'From Silos to Systems, Projects to Portfolios', a new paper by Temasek Trust and UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub (Accelerator Labs): https://lnkd.in/gymxz4be

Temasek Trust and The World Bank Group have forged a strategic partnership to advance shared development priorities. The memorandum of understanding was signed at the inaugural World Bank Group Philanthropy Forum, held as part of the World Bank Group’s Annual Meetings in Bangkok. The partnership brings together the Temasek Trust Collective’s catalytic capital capabilities, convening platforms, and innovation networks with the World Bank Group’s global development expertise, reach, and country-level insights. Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer, The World Bank Group, said: “As development needs grow and resources come under pressure, partnership matters more than ever. Philanthropic organizations bring deep expertise and innovative solutions that align closely with our core missions and jobs agenda. The Philanthropy Hub will connect ideas, resources, and partners to take those solutions to scale, and to deliver for people and communities around the world.” Desmond Kuek, Executive Director and CEO, Temasek Trust, said: “Today’s development challenges do not fit neatly into silos - and neither can our response. Philanthropy can move early, take risks, and unlock the partnerships and capital needed to turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Working in concert with the World Bank Group and its Philanthropy Hub, we can bridge systemic gaps, scale what works, and forge new pathways for collective action.” The partnership will focus on three areas: ▪️Convening partners and enabling knowledge exchange ▪️Sharing expertise and insights to help promising solutions progress from pilot to scale ▪️Coordinating partners and capital towards shared priorities Initial areas of focus include water, agriculture, health, climate, and energy. Both organisations will also explore co-financing and innovative financing approaches to mobilise additional resources for development solutions. In 2027, Temasek Trust will establish a Knowledge Node at Temasek Shophouse in Singapore as part of the World Bank Group Philanthropy Hub. The node will connect philanthropic partners with World Bank Group datasets, expertise, and relevant networks to support evidence-building, collaboration, and the wider adoption of promising solutions. As development challenges become increasingly interconnected, partnerships that bring together complementary expertise, networks, and capital will be critical to delivering impact at scale. We look forward to working with the World Bank Group and our wider network of partners to forge new pathways for collective action. Read the news release: https://lnkd.in/gscis6Sb

Development challenges are increasingly interconnected. Our responses must be too. Today, Temasek Trust and The World Bank Group signed a memorandum of understanding on the sidelines of the inaugural World Bank Group Philanthropy Forum in Bangkok, marking the start of a strategic partnership that brings together the complementary strengths of catalytic philanthropy and development finance. Philanthropy has a distinctive catalytic role to play. We can move early, take risks, and help create the conditions to mobilise partners and capital behind promising solutions. Through this partnership, we will combine the Temasek Trust Collective’s catalytic capital capabilities, convening platforms, and innovation networks with the World Bank Group’s global development expertise, reach, and country-level insights. Our collaboration will focus on sharing knowledge and insights, connecting partners, and exploring innovative approaches to mobilising capital. We will initially explore opportunities across water, agriculture, health, climate, and energy, with the aim of helping promising solutions move from pilot to scale. In 2027, under our strategic partnership and as part of the World Bank Group Philanthropy Hub, Temasek Trust will establish a Knowledge Node at Temasek Shophouse in Singapore. This will connect philanthropic partners with World Bank Group datasets, expertise, and relevant networks to inform decisions, strengthen collaboration, and support solutions with the potential to deliver impact at scale. The challenges before us are too complex for any one organisation or sector to address alone. Good intent is not enough. What matters is how we bring our complementary strengths to bear, work in concert, and translate shared ambition into meaningful action. I look forward to building on this partnership with the World Bank Group and our wider network of partners to create the conditions for promising solutions to take root and scale, and to build better for generations to come.