The Rockefeller Foundation and the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Institute of Philanthropy Call for Stronger Partnerships to Protect the Health of Vulnerable Populations From Climate Change on Health Day

DUBAI | December 3, 2023 — The Rockefeller Foundation and the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), a charitable organization established by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, signed a formal ‘Statement of Collaboration’ on the first-ever Health Day at COP28 in Dubai. Having both identified climate and health as strategic priorities, the two organizations aim to collaborate to scale equitable solutions to address the impact of climate change for all people, particularly the estimated 3.3 billion most vulnerable.

Earlier this year, The Rockefeller Foundation, building on a 110-year-old track record of promoting the well-being of humanity, announced a USD 1 billion strategy to advance human opportunity and reverse the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. In this 5-year strategy, the Foundation aims to test and scale solutions in public health and other sectors.

“If we invest the right way, we can not only make a warming world endurable but also catalyze advances that will improve healthy and healthier systems around the world,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “The Rockefeller Foundation is honored to collaborate with the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Institute of Philanthropy to accelerate climate solutions that simultaneously advance the field of global health and protect the most vulnerable.”

“The Hong Kong Jockey Club established the Institute of Philanthropy recognising that many of the issues confronting communities require global solutions and collaboration”, said The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “This collaboration, one of the first initiatives of the Institute of Philanthropy, aims to address the most urgent global issue of all, namely climate change and the huge impact it is having on the health of communities everywhere. Leveraging the convening power and financial resources of the Institute of Philanthropy in the East and The Rockefeller Foundation in the West, we aim to build nothing less than a global network of human and technology resources dedicated to strengthening global health resilience to climate change.”

Through its integrated business model, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has for over a century contributed to the social, economic and welfare needs of Hong Kong. In September 2023, the Club establish the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) as a “think-fund-do” tank for China and Asia, dedicated to promoting philanthropic thought leadership together with fellow foundations, philanthropic stakeholders and other institutions. Grounded in the East, it provides a convening platform to promote the common good. The Club has committed an initial sum of US$640 million (HK$5 billion) to fulfil this mission.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.

About The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors. Please visit www.hkjc.com.

Media Contact

Ashley Chang
The Rockefeller Foundation
achang@rockfound.org