Dr. Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, on 26 August 2026 called for deeper investment in youth, women, and local creators as a pathway to building scalable development models for the Global South. Speaking at the AVPN Global Conference 2026 in New Delhi, she argued that empowering communities at the grassroots level does more than address local challenges — it generates replicable blueprints for emerging economies worldwide.

Key Remarks at AVPN Global Conference

Addressing nearly 2,000 national and international delegates at the welcome dinner hosted by the Adani Foundation at Bharat Mandapam, Dr. Priti Adani emphasised that lasting social change stems from enabling communities to determine their own futures. 'It is a privilege to welcome philanthropy leaders from across the world to India at a time when the world is looking towards India and Asia as an emerging engine of growth and opportunity,' she said. 'Over three decades, our journey at the Adani Foundation has taught us that lasting change comes from empowering communities to shape their own futures.'

She also stressed the urgency of cross-border knowledge exchange. 'As social challenges become more complex, we must learn from one another, share what works and build partnerships that take impact further. AVPN gives us a wonderful opportunity to share India's grassroots experience while learning from inspiring ideas across Asia and the world,' Dr. Priti Adani said.

India as an Innovation Hub

Dr. Priti Adani highlighted the breadth of India's grassroots innovation landscape, noting that the country is now generating solutions across metros, agricultural markets, campuses, and small towns alike. She pointed to Indian startups tackling waste management, climate change, safe drinking water, affordable healthcare, and last-mile agricultural innovation as evidence of a nationwide problem-solving culture that has relevance well beyond India's borders.

Adani Foundation's Three Decades of Impact

The conference engagement coincides with the Adani Foundation marking 30 years of grassroots development work. The Foundation's programmes have reached more than 7,200 villages across 22 states, touching over 13 million lives. Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, has committed ₹60,000 crore towards healthcare, skilling, and higher education initiatives. This scale of commitment positions the Foundation among India's largest corporate social responsibility operations.

AVPN's Role and the Viksit Bharat Vision

AVPN is Asia's largest social impact platform, connecting over 700 resource providers, innovators, and intermediaries from 43 markets to mobilise capital for social good. The Adani Foundation served as a strategic partner for the 2026 edition of the conference. Dr. Priti Adani connected the Foundation's work to India's broader national ambition, noting that as the country advances towards the 'Viksit Bharat at 2047' goal, progress must ultimately translate into greater opportunities for ordinary citizens and communities — not just macroeconomic indicators.

With India increasingly positioned as a reference point for development solutions in the Global South, the Adani Foundation's pivot towards showcasing its model on an international platform signals a broader ambition: to export not just products or services, but proven social impact frameworks.