This was my first AVPN Global Conference, but it won’t be my last.

Heading into Abu Dhabi on the heels of the always-inspiring Skoll World Forum, I had no idea what to expect. Wading through 1,300 fellow philanthropy professionals on my way to the first plenary session, I quickly realised that I had somehow found my people: fellow global citizens with one foot firmly in the future. Philanthropy is undergoing a transformation, and nowhere was it more obvious than in this celebration of “Asia West.”

There are more than 200 nationalities represented in Abu Dhabi, Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of The Authority of Social Contribution (Ma’an) reminded us. She emphasised that “the cultural context is important. It looks different for different places.” In a keynote speech, Nassar Al Mubarak, CEO of local philanthropic powerhouse ‘Reaching the Last Mile’, provided a poignant reminder that the United Arab Emirates have come a long way in the past 50 years. Before oil wealth transformed this country into a gleaming vision of the future, it was a region ruled by tribes who suffered from many of the issues that still affect some of their Asian neighbours: tropical diseases, maternal and infant mortality, and more. It’s easy to forget this kinship amid the glitz and glamour, but it’s the beating heart of philanthropy in the Emirates—a legacy of compassion from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

What could have been an easy PR stunt designed to fold the event’s host country into Asia instead of the Middle East actually put a sharp focus on the shifting sands under the banner of “One Asia: One Future.” While the U.S. and other Western nations mostly stay the course, in terms of streamlined, professionalised, and predictable philanthropy, it would be a mistake to miss what’s happening around the world right now. Who’s to say where “Asia” begins and the “Middle East” ends? Countries are redefining themselves and their place in the world. It’s an exciting moment to witness.

While philanthropy insiders in the U.S. and Europe debate the opacity of our jargon and whether there should be more trust between donors and grantees, the conversation in Abu Dhabi was centred on our common humanity. “What is Asian philanthropy?” Naina Subberwal Batra, AVPN’s CEO asked the crowd. “It’s not just about money. It’s also about compassion, empathy, and community”.

This theme, which encapsulates the very essence of philanthropy and which the “West” has shied away from, was echoed throughout the conference. According to Her Excellency Shamma bint Sohail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, “philanthropy in the UAE is an act of service. We serve our families, community, country, and humanity. And, when we serve, our work sustains us.” The conversations ranged from youth engagement to women’s empowerment, climate action, and healthcare.

Yet, the talk also turned to more business-minded matters, as the impact investment track raved about blended finance models, to muted enthusiasm from the social entrepreneurs in the crowd. In a well-timed op-ed, Badr Jafar, a leading Emirati businessman and Giving Pledge philanthropist, as well as the UAE’s aptly named Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, highlighted the wider region’s changing demographics and generational wealth transfer, positing the UAE as an emerging hub for strategic philanthropy.

This was another common theme running throughout the event: the determination to do good better. AVPN members represent a sprawling geographic region with great reach, tremendous wealth, and significant resources. Dr. Gabriel Leung, Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, articulated the opportunity in compelling terms: “In the U.S., philanthropy represents about 2.2% of the gross domestic product. In Asia, it’s about 0.2%. That’s a 10x difference. But even 2x would make a big impact.” As Asian countries continue to thrive, 0.4% of GDP could be a game changer.

One panel summed up the general feeling of AVPN 24—”Clarion Call: Taking Bold Steps to Drive Real Impact.” One of the panelists, Kitty Bu, Vice President, Asia, at Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) told the room: “We’re the trailblazers; that’s how I see our community… Holding AVPN here with all these people at one time is itself a bold step”.

You only had to walk the hallways and networking lounges to witness the appetite for connection and collaboration in the air. I can’t wait to see what these conversations will spark in the weeks and months to come. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

Marc Moorghen is the Vice President, Marketing Communications at Lever for Change, MacArthur Foundation.