EX-99.17.a

 

PROXY CARD MEETING AGENDA on Reverse Side BY INTERNET: YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN. PLEASE CAST YOUR PROXY VOTE TODAY! Go to the website below and enter your VOTER CONTROL NUMBER or simply scan the QR with a Smart Phone vote.proxyonline.com VOTER PROFILE: Voter ID: XXXXXXXXSecurity ID: XXXXXXXX Shares to Vote: XXXXXXXXHousehold ID: XXXXXXXXXX **please call the phone number to the right for more information VOTER CONTROL NUMBER: XXXX XXXX XXXX BY PHONE: Call (888) 227-9349 to reach an automated touch-tone voting line or call the number below to speak with a live representative. (800) 431-9643 VOTE REGISTERED TO: NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE BY MAIL: Complete the reverse side and return in the postage-paid envelope provided. USPS Postage-Paid Envelope [ABERDEEN FUND NAME] Proxy for a Special Meeting of Shareholders to Take Place on September 23, 2021 The undersigned hereby appoints Megan

Kennedy, Lucia Sitar, and Andrew Kim, and each of them, as proxies of the undersigned, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, for the Special Meeting of Shareholders of the [Aberdeen Fund Name] (“the Fund”), scheduled to be held virtually on September 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and for any adjournment or postponement thereof, to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all shares of the Fund held by the undersigned at the close of business on August 2, 2021. Capitalized terms used without definition have the meanings given to them in the accompanying proxy statement. As noted, the Special Meeting will be a virtual meeting of shareholders, which will be conducted online via live webcast. To participate in the Meeting, shareholders must register in advance. If you wish to do so, please send an email to attendameeting@astfinancial.com. Please reference “ABERDEEN FUNDS SEPTEMBER 23RD SPECIAL MEETING OF

SHAREHOLDERS” in the subject line and include in the body of the email your full name and address, your control number (located above) and your intent to attend the Meeting. This request must be received before 1 p.m. Eastern time on September 21, 2021. A registration link will be sent back to you. There is no physical location for the Meeting. The undersigned hereby revokes any prior proxy to vote at such Special Meeting, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and proxies, or any of them, may lawfully do by virtue thereof. Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for this Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on September 23, 2021. The proxy statement for this meeting is available at: https://vote.proxyonline.com/aberdeen/docs/abrdnspecial2021.pdf DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS: If you have any questions about how to vote your proxy or about the Special Meeting in general, please call toll-free (800) 431-9643. Representatives are availab

le to assist you Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. [Type text]

 [ABERDEEN FUND NAME] PROXY CARD NOTE: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S) APPEAR ON THIS PROXY, If joint owners, EITHER may sign this Proxy. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or custodian for a minor, please give your full title. When signing on behalf of a corporation or as a partner for a partnership, please give the full corporate or partnership name and your title, if any. SIGNATURE (AND TITLE IF APPLICABLE)DATE SIGNATURE (IF HELD JOINTLY)DATE The votes entitled to be cast by the undersigned will be cast according to instructions given below with respect to the Proposals. If this Proxy Ballot is executed but no instructions is given, the undersigned acknowledges that the votes entitled to be cast by the undersigned will be cast by the proxies, or any of them, “FOR” the proposals. Additionally, the votes entitled to be cast by the undersigned will be cast at the discretion of the proxy holder on any other matter that may properly come before the Special Meeting. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WHICH UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSALS. TO VOTE, MARK CIRCLE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK. Example: ● THANK YOU FOR CASTING YOUR VOTE