19 December 2024
The Asian Insurance Forum (AIF) that took place on 10 December 2024 attracted a total of some 2,400 attendees joining either in person at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre or remotely through virtual means. This record-breaking turnout is the best reward for our colleagues who worked tirelessly to put on a good forum. The half-day programme has clearly been welcomed, and we shall adopt it again in 2025.
I would like to express sincere gratitude to our star-studded lineup of esteemed speakers who shared so generously their wisdom and insights, especially those who flew in from Bermuda, Europe and South Africa. Their presence not only reinforces the status of Hong Kong as an international financial centre thriving under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, but also provides us with ample confidence in planning ahead for the 2026 International Association of Insurance Supervisors Annual General Meeting and Annual Conference where more than 600 delegates from over 200 jurisdictions will gather in this vibrant and dynamic metropolis.
Due to technical glitches, we did not manage to deal with many interesting questions raised by participants at the concluding dialogue with me and my senior management team that touched upon how the Insurance Authority (IA) will strike a delicate balance between maintaining its corporate governance and nurturing business development, vision and aspirations of the IA five years from now, feasible ways to bring back more general and reinsurance business to Hong Kong as well as support rendered to local insurers in seeking to integrate with the Greater Bay Area ecosystem. Nonetheless, the range and depth of these questions is a sign of active engagement by the audience. We treasure your support and will take proactive steps to improve our communication with stakeholders.
Let me conclude by reiterating that trust and solidarity are essential in coping with a volatile future. We will live by the three chosen attributes of collaborative, open-minded and visionary in charting our course of work in the coming year.
Clement Cheung
Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Authority
19 December 2024