JAKARTA, THE NUSANTARA POST — In a major step toward strengthening global philanthropic partnerships, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Bill Gates, co-founder of the Gates Foundation, to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The high-level meeting centered on enhancing collaboration in social impact initiatives through the development of the Danantara Trust Fund.
According to Rosan Roeslani, Indonesia’s Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry and Head of the Danantara Steering Committee, the fund aims to support programs in education, sanitation, and the overall improvement of living standards in Indonesia.
“We’ve run the numbers. We’re planning to start with an initial contribution of $100 million, and within the next five to six years, we expect to grow the Danantara Trust Fund to $1 billion,” Rosan told reporters following the meeting.
The collaboration with the Gates Foundation, Rosan said, is already being discussed intensively, with the goal of establishing a joint funding model.
“We are proposing that the Gates Foundation co-invest with us. This fund is open to broader collaboration with other global philanthropic partners as well,” he added.
Rosan emphasized that one of the core ambitions of Danantara is to position Indonesia as a leading philanthropic hub in Southeast Asia. “We want to invite global philanthropists and businesses to contribute to a cause that creates long-term, tangible impact,” he said.
In aligning with that mission, Danantara is also working to coordinate existing CSR programs from Indonesia’s state-owned enterprises to ensure a more strategic, structured, and sustainable approach.
“We want CSR programs that deliver real, lasting impact—not just one-off activities,” Rosan stressed.
To move things forward, two representatives from the Gates Foundation have already been appointed to continue technical discussions with the Danantara team.
“Our goal is to meet international standards. We want to attract not only Indonesian donors but also philanthropists from ASEAN and beyond. Most importantly, the entire program will be open, transparent, and accountable—including to the media,” Rosan concluded.
As Danantara Trust Fund takes shape, it signals a new era in strategic philanthropy—one that blends global cooperation with national ambition to drive meaningful change across the region (Marwan Aziz).