The Black Jaguar Foundation took part in the Latin America Investment Conference (LAIC) 2026, UBS’s flagship event in the region, held on January 27–28 at the Grand Hyatt São Paulo. The conference brought together business leaders, institutional investors, and decision-makers from Brazil and across Latin America to discuss economic outlooks, investment trends, and strategic priorities shaping the region’s future.
As part of the official agenda, BJF was invited to join a side event hosted by the UBS Optimus Foundation, dedicated to philanthropy, impact, and ESG. This participation further strengthened the institutional partnership between the Black Jaguar Foundation and the UBS Optimus Foundation, which supports high-impact socio-environmental initiatives across the region.
Our founder, Ben Valks, represented BJF in a moderated Q&A alongside other organizations supported by the UBS Optimus Foundation. The conversation centered on the role of strategic philanthropy in enabling systemic, long-term transformation—particularly in complex environmental projects.
Key topics discussed during the panel included:
- BJF’s operational model and the on-the-ground implementation of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor
- The role of the UBS Optimus Foundation in strengthening institutions and enabling long-term impact
- The importance of strategic philanthropy in scaling complex environmental solutions
- Future perspectives and next steps for supported initiatives
One especially relevant point addressed governance and relationships with public authorities—a sensitive topic for international investors. BJF highlighted its independent operational model, grounded in institutional partnerships, legal certainty, transparency, and risk mitigation, reinforcing the project’s credibility in long-term investment contexts.
The panel also provided an opportunity to present the scale, complexity, and ambition of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor. Philanthropic funding was emphasized as a critical enabler for initiatives of this nature, particularly during their foundational phases, which require long-term commitment and a high degree of innovation.
Another central theme was the role of UBS and the UBS Optimus Foundation in fostering a shift in how philanthropy is understood—promoting a move toward strategic, systemic, and impact-driven giving, beyond one-off or reactive approaches.
The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by large-scale, long-term projects in contexts of political and fiscal volatility, further underscoring philanthropy’s role as a source of financial resilience, stability, and continuity for successful implementation over time.
BJF’s participation in LAIC 2026 reinforced its position as an organization capable of engaging with major financial institutions, investors, and global philanthropists—while advancing large-scale ecological restoration, measurable impact, and long-term international partnerships.
