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Southeast Asia and the Pacific Forests Investment Conference
Connecting Capital with Investment-ready Forest and Nature-based Solutions
16 September 2025 | Conrad Singapore Marina Bay
08:00 - 13:00 (GMT+8)
The Southeast Asia and the Pacific Forests Investment Conference—co-led by Grow Asia and IUCN under the GEF-8 Regional Coordination Project—will be the first regional platform dedicated to connecting capital with investment-ready forest and nature-based solutions (NbS) projects.
Happening on 16 Sept 2025, one day before the Grow Asia Investment Forum, the event will bring together investors, policymakers, and practitioners to drive blended finance for forest-positive, climate-resilient land-use systems.
​Conference objectives:
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Mobilize capital for primary forest conservation through sustainable and inclusive financing instruments
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Promote Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in forestry and agroforestry by strengthening investment design and outcome measurement
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Present a regional Primary Forest Investment Plan alongside a pipeline of bankable projects that integrate biodiversity, carbon, and equity objectives
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Strengthen the link between forest protection, regenerative agriculture, and food system transitions
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Foster inclusive financing models that support Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Local Communities (LCs), and women-led forest enterprises
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During this closed-door session, participants can expect to:
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Access a curated portfolio of investment-ready forestry and agroforestry projects with measurable climate, biodiversity, and social impact
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Learn from successful financing models, including REDD+, PES schemes, biodiversity credits, carbon markets, and blended finance facilities
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Engage directly with project developers, investors, and policymakers to explore partnerships and deal flow opportunities
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Contribute to shaping the mandate of the SEAP Forests Investment & Technical Partners Coalition, a new regional platform to align efforts and mobilize investment
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Gain insights from the Stocktaking Report on innovative financing instruments for primary forests in the Indo-Malayan region
AGENDA
7:30 - 8:00
Registration and Networking
8:00 - 8:30
Welcome and Opening Remarks
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Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairman, Global Environment Facility
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Beverley Postma, Executive Director, Grow Asia
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Dindo Campilan, Regional Director for Asia and Hub Director for Oceania, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
8:30 - 8:40
Presentation of Insights from the Regional Forestry and Finance Report
8:40 - 9:40
Panel Discussion: What It Takes to Scale—Making Nature-Positive Projects Investment-Ready
Moderator: Dr. Theodor Cojoianu, Associate Professor of Sustainable Finance, College of Integrative Studies, Singapore Management University
​Panelists:
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Paul Ronalds, CEO, Save the Children Global Ventures
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Sanjiv Louis, Director, Investments, New Forest
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Natalie Macawaris, Country Director for the Philippines, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)
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Gamma Nur Merrillia Sularso, Senior Investment Officer, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
9:40 - 10:30
Project Showcases: From the Ground Up—Investable Projects in Forestry and Agroforestry
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MyFarmTrees
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Digital platform led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT that empowers farmers and communities to drive large-scale forest and landscape restoration.
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Pollination Group – Rai Matak (Timor-Leste)
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Rai Matak is a community-led agroforestry carbon project in Timor-Leste (supported by the Pollination Group) that exemplifies high-integrity, best-in-class climate action.
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Vana Holdings
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Vana’s ACRE restores landscapes, empowers communities, and advances scalable Nature-based Solutions in Southeast Asia.​
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10:30 - 10:45
Networking Break
10:45 - 11:55
Project Showcases: From the Ground Up—Investable Projects in Forestry and Agroforestry
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Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve Project
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Malaysia’s first dedicated tiger reserve, the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve in Pahang safeguards 1,340 km² of rainforest for endangered wildlife while providing vital ecosystem services, livelihoods, and green economic benefits.
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Terraformation
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Terraformation accelerates global reforestation through its Seed to Carbon Forest Accelerator, restoring degraded lands with local communities to deliver trusted carbon, biodiversity, and community benefits.
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Save the Children – VSLA & Social Inclusion
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Save the Children’s VSLAs empower women through savings and fair credit, boosting incomes, decision-making, and community resilience.
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IDH – PPP in Viet Nam Coffee Agroforestry
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IDH drives public-private partnerships in Viet Nam’s coffee sector to scale agroforestry, boost farmer incomes, and build climate-resilient, sustainable coffee landscapes.
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Olam Agri – Decarbonization projects in the Global South
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Olam Agri advances decarbonization strategies through multiple decarbonization levers, one of which is linked with Forestry/REDD+ projects, while other levers include regenerative ag, alternate-drying and wetting (rice), and traceability solutions.
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11:55 - 12:55
Funder Fireside Chat: Public and Private Sector Insights
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Patricia Chu, Mana Impact
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Stéphane Salim, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
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Aaron Russell, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
12:55 - 13:00
Synthesis and Way Forward
Should you have any questions, please contact programs@growasia.org or another member of the Grow Asia team.
SUPPORTED BY
Contact us for sponsorship opportunities
info@growasia.org
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