The Ascent Partners Foundation is a non-governmental organisation based in Hong Kong SAR, which provides support to organisations addressing poverty reduction, educational gaps, environmental protections, among others. The Foundation was established in 2017 by Mr Simon Mak, the Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Partners Group Limited.

The MoU indicates a list of potential areas of collaboration for nature conservation in Asia, including to forge wider partnership with philanthropic partners and foundations, and to expand the Membership base of IUCN. The new partnership will also facilitate participation and engagement of key stakeholders in IUCN forums, such as the upcoming 8^th IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum.

The signing ceremony was held at the IUCN Asia Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand. Mr Simon Mak stressed he would be delighted to further explore ‘the role that Ascent Partners can play, especially in connecting IUCN with leaders from business and philanthropic communities in Hong Kong.” In welcoming the Foundation to the IUCN community, Dr Dindo Campilan, Regional Director for Asia and Hub Director for Oceania at IUCN, expressed hope that the signed agreement would pave the way to tap into Ascent Partners’ connections with leaders from ‘uncommon networks but with common objectives.'

The signing was witnessed by two representatives from the IUCN Headquarters - Ms Giuditta Andreaus, Senior Manager, Private Philanthropy and Mr James Hardcastle, Head, Protected and Conserved Areas.