31 insurance associations representing 87 per cent of the worldwide insurance business formally established the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA) today. Frank Swedlove, president of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, was elected chair.
The world's insurance associations have cooperated informally for several years, most recently as the International Network of Insurance Associations, but this is the first time a formal global federation of insurance associations has been created.
"This is a great day for the insurance industry around the world. The federation will give our associations the ability to respond on a timely basis to international issues affecting our industry and to speak with one voice", said Frank Swedlove, the newly-elected GFIA chair and president of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association.
Welcoming the creation of the global federation, Peter Braumüller, chairman of the executive committee of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, said:
"As the global insurance standard-setter, the IAIS values greatly the contributions of IAIS observers - who represent international institutions, professional associations and insurance and reinsurance companies - to the development and implementation of IAIS supervisory material. We look forward to working with GFIA and its members as we all continuing to promote effective and globally-consistent supervision of the insurance industry."
Recaredo Arias, secretary general of FIDES has been elected vice-chair of the new federation. The founding member associations also elected Michaela Koller, director general of Insurance Europe, as secretary.
As the secretariat, Insurance Europe will undertake the significant work that will be required to support the GFIA's initiatives in key areas of concern to the global insurance industry.
The GFIA will be active in commenting on a broad range of issues affecting the international insurance industry, including: developments in the systemic risk debate; the work of the IAIS in developing ComFrame, the common framework for the supervision of international groups; market conduct and trade issues; and initiatives in relation to financial inclusion and anti-money laundering.
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