Rockefeller Grant Boosts Bangkok Climate Week to Influence Global Finance

BANGKOK, THAILAND – June 05, 2026 – The Rockefeller Foundation has awarded a US$300,000 grant to the Just Transitions Incubators (JUTI), a move designed to fortify Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW) as a central force for climate solutions in Southeast Asia. The funding, announced this week, will support the event in 2026 and 2027, aiming to transform it from an annual convening into a sustained, coalition-driven ecosystem for change.

The grant arrives at a critical juncture. Scheduled for October 3–11, 2026, BKKCAW will take place immediately before the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) hold their prestigious Annual Meetings in Bangkok. This strategic timing positions the event to amplify regional voices and influence global financial discourse on climate resilience and sustainable development.

Empowering a Vulnerable Region from the Ground Up

Southeast Asia is on the front lines of the climate crisis, facing disproportionate risks from rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and severe air pollution. Research consistently shows the region's high vulnerability, with projections indicating that climate impacts could push hundreds of millions into poverty by mid-century. Against this backdrop, traditional top-down solutions often fail to address local realities, and a significant funding gap persists for grassroots adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The Rockefeller Foundation's investment directly targets this challenge by championing a locally-led approach. The grant empowers JUTI to build a broad-based coalition, bringing together public institutions, civil society, private sector partners, and research bodies to co-create solutions. This model shifts the focus from passive participation to active co-creation, a philosophy that was central to the inaugural BKKCAW in 2025.

That first event, also supported by the Foundation, was a resounding success, attracting over 77,000 online participants to more than 250 events and demonstrating a powerful appetite for community-driven action. Post-event surveys revealed that 85% of attendees felt motivated to take climate action, underscoring the platform's potential for genuine impact.

"Rather than episodic convenings, climate action in Southeast Asia requires long-term ecosystem stewardship," said Leo Horn-Phathanothai OBE, Founder and Convenor of Bangkok Climate Action Week. "By strengthening locally led ecosystems, shifting climate narratives, and deepening regional cooperation, the coalition will create the foundation for climate action that is more ambitious, more inclusive, and responsive to the realities of Southeast Asia."

A Strategic Play on the Global Stage

The timing of BKKCAW 2026 is no coincidence. By concluding just as thousands of central bankers, finance ministers, and private sector executives arrive in Bangkok for the World Bank and IMF meetings from October 12-18, the event is strategically poised to shape the agenda. For the first time since 1991, Thailand will host these influential financial gatherings, providing a unique opportunity to spotlight the region's climate priorities.

The grant will enable JUTI to formalize its governance structures and enhance stakeholder engagement, creating a more unified and powerful voice. The goal is to move beyond simply highlighting problems and instead showcase a "whole-of-society" movement that presents tangible, investable solutions. This includes linking climate action directly to economic benefits like job creation, enhanced resilience, and inclusive growth—themes that resonate deeply with the mandates of international financial institutions.

"The Bangkok Climate Action Week is opportunity to build momentum behind the solutions, people, and organizations helping improve life for vulnerable people in Southeast Asia," said Deepali Khanna, Senior Vice President and Head of Asia at The Rockefeller Foundation. "BKKCAW brings diverse voices together to strengthen regional cooperation and turn local ideas into practical action that improves people's lives, strengthens resilience, and supports a healthier planet."

This approach aims to demonstrate to global financiers and policymakers that investing in locally-led climate initiatives is not just a moral imperative but a sound economic strategy. By presenting a coordinated front of civil society, government, and business leaders, BKKCAW can provide a compelling narrative that influences policy and unlocks further investment in the region's green transition.

A Blueprint for Philanthropic Impact

This US$300,000 grant is a key component of The Rockefeller Foundation's larger, more ambitious climate strategy. In 2023, the 113-year-old philanthropy committed over $1 billion over five years to advance a global climate transition, marking a historic pivot for the institution. Its strategy focuses on integrating climate solutions across its core areas of power, health, food, and finance, with a specific emphasis on benefiting the world's most vulnerable populations.

The BKKCAW investment exemplifies this new blueprint. Rather than funding a one-off event, the grant is designed to build a lasting infrastructure for change. It supports JUTI's mission to act as an incubator, nurturing local change agents and fostering the partnerships necessary for sustained impact. This aligns with the Foundation's other major initiatives, such as the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), which mobilizes capital to provide clean power, and its investments in nature-based solutions and climate-smart infrastructure.

The Foundation's approach acknowledges that philanthropic capital is most effective when used as a catalyst. In a region where governments often struggle to finance high-risk climate projects and private investment is scarce, grants like this one can de-risk innovation, prove the viability of new models, and build the collaborative trust needed to attract larger-scale funding from development banks and private investors. By investing in the "ecosystem" itself—the governance, partnerships, and communication channels—the Foundation is betting on a multiplier effect that extends far beyond the week-long event.

The Mechanics of a Movement

At the heart of this initiative is the Just Transitions Incubator (JUTI). Established in January 2025, JUTI's mission is to empower local actors to drive a just and inclusive green transition. It provides strategic advice, capacity development, and partnership facilitation, focusing on building new "constellations of action" that break down traditional silos between sectors.

The new funding will allow JUTI to formalize the BKKCAW coalition, establishing clear governance to enhance accountability and shared ownership among its diverse members. This includes partners from previous years, such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and research bodies like the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Asia, alongside new participants from the private sector, community organizations, and philanthropic groups.

This structured approach is designed to ensure that the momentum generated during BKKCAW translates into concrete, year-round action and measurable outcomes. By improving systems for stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and cross-border learning, the initiative aims to deepen cooperation among Asian climate actors and create a powerful network for South-South exchange on practical climate solutions. The ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining movement that is not reliant on single events but is woven into the fabric of the region's economic and social development.