The New Asia Forum (NAF) 2026 has set an ambitious target of mobilizing US$30 billion in investment across the New Asia region by strengthening strategic partnerships and accelerating investment execution. The forum, held under the patronage of President Prabowo Subianto with Danantara Indonesia as a founding partner, is scheduled for 3–4 December 2026 in Bali, Indonesia. The announcement, made via Media OutReach Newswire, signals a significant push to translate investment interest into concrete commitments, financing structures, and measurable outcomes.
The forum matters because it aims to move beyond conventional economic dialogue to an action-oriented platform that connects global investors, industry leaders, and policymakers. With the Asia-Pacific region accounting for nearly 60% of global economic growth yet remaining under-allocated in long-term international capital, NAF 2026 presents a timely opportunity to bridge that gap. Pahala Nugraha Mansury, Managing Director of Global Relations & Communications at Danantara Indonesia, emphasized that long-term capital should recognize the many investment opportunities across Asian countries. "This is precisely where the center of gravity for growth lies," he said, adding that this will enable growth at scale, anchored by ASEAN and driven by Indonesia as the largest country in ASEAN.
The implications of this announcement are substantial. By convening more than 1,000 global leaders, over 100 speakers, and more than 40 sessions involving sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, development finance institutions, multinational corporations, and government representatives, NAF 2026 seeks to catalyze investment across eight priority sectors: strategic resources and downstreaming; energy and power; advanced mobility and manufacturing; digital infrastructure and AI; food and agribusiness; trade and connectivity; tourism and creative economy; and education and human capital. Notable speakers include President Prabowo Subianto, Masayoshi Son of SoftBank Group, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan, Kathleen Quirk of Freeport-McMoRan, former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and Israfil Mammadov of Azerbaijan's State Oil Fund.
The two-day structure—Discovery & Diligence on 3 December and Action & Execution on 4 December—underscores the forum's transaction-focused approach. It aims to deliver preliminary investment agreements, bankable financing structures, and clearly defined implementation milestones, with progress tracked across subsequent editions to promote accountability and tangible economic impact. As a founding partner, Danantara Indonesia will participate as a co-investor alongside global partners, reinforcing Indonesia's role in regional economic transformation. If successful, NAF 2026 could mark a pivotal step in positioning Indonesia as a gateway to Asia's growth and unlocking long-term capital for the region's most strategic sectors.
