NYU Abu Dhabi symposium highlights $68 trillion wealth transfer, urging stronger data and policy to scale strategic philanthropy.
ABU DHABI: The world’s largest intergenerational wealth transfer, estimated at $68 trillion over the next 25 years, is set to reshape global giving. This was the focus of the Strategic Philanthropy Initiative (SPI) symposium hosted at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), which brought together leaders from philanthropy, academia, and business to explore the future of evidence-based, long-term generosity.
The event featured high-profile voices including HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, H.E. Badr Jafar, Muna Al Gurg, and Fadi Ghandour, who discussed how the UAE and wider MENA region can become a global hub for strategic philanthropy. The conversations underscored that philanthropy is shifting from ad-hoc donations to structured, measurable investments in social impact.
During his keynote, H.E. Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, noted: “Philanthropy in the UAE is embedded in our value system. From here, we are building partnerships that turn generosity into measurable change across the world.”
The symposium also marked the release of ‘A Comparative Study of Strategic Philanthropy in MENA and Beyond’, a landmark report by SPI that outlines 12 themes driving global giving trends. These include funder collaboratives, ‘big bet’ philanthropy, and the integration of CSR with ESG. The report found that 89% of experts expect the biggest surge in giving to come from Africa and Asia, regions expected to benefit from more than $1 trillion in wealth transfer within the next decade.
Fabio Piano, Interim Vice Chancellor of NYUAD, emphasised: “Through SPI, NYU Abu Dhabi is creating a hub where ideas, evidence, and action converge to shape the future of philanthropy.”
The symposium concluded with a call for simpler regulation, stronger data, and trusted intermediaries to ensure that philanthropic capital achieves scalable, measurable social impact. With its convening power, NYUAD is positioning the UAE as a global leader in fostering strategic, transparent, and high-impact philanthropy.
