President Prabowo, Bill Gates Promote Philanthropic Collaboration through Danantara Trust Fund

President Prabowo Subianto welcomes Gates Foundation founder Bill Gates in an official meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (05/07). (Photo: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday (05/07) welcomed Gates Foundation founder, Bill Gates, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

During the meeting, they discussed measures to strengthen collaboration in philanthropy, including the development of Danantara Trust Fund.

Rosan Roeslani—Minister of Investment & Downstreaming/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and Chairperson of Danantara’s Board—told journalists that Danantara is currently setting up the Danantara Trust Fund. The aim is to broaden social contributions in education, sanitation, and improvements to Indonesians’ quality of life.

“From the numbers we’ve run, at the beginning of the year we will put US$100 million, and we project that within five to six years we can contribute around US$1 billion to the Danantara Trust Fund,” Rosan explained to reporters after the meeting.

Rosan noted that intensive discussions with the Gates Foundation on this collaboration have already begun. Under the plan, the Gates Foundation is expected to take part in co‑financing the Danantara Trust Fund.

He emphasized that the overarching goal of the initiative is to make Indonesia one of the philanthropic hubs in ASEAN region and invited business leaders and international philanthropists to contribute.

“That is what we want to drive, because it will have a tremendously positive impact on all of us,” he stated.

Rosan added that Danantara will coordinate the program with various state‑owned enterprises that already have their own CSR initiatives, so that social activities become more structured, sustainable, and aligned with government programs.

The collaboration is now being formalized. According to Rosan, two representatives from the Gates Foundation have been appointed to continue technical discussions.

“Our hope is to follow international standards. We aim to attract not only Indonesian philanthropists but also those from ASEAN and other countries. Just as important, the programs will be carried out openly and transparently, and will be trackable by all the media,” Rosan remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RI/LW)