The Singapore Reinsurers’ Association (SRA) is planning to hold the 17th Singapore International Reinsurance Conference in a “hybrid” manner – featuring both online and limited in-person activities.
This was discussed during the SRA’s 42nd annual general meeting, held virtually last month. According to SRA chairman Marc Haushofer, with global COVID-19 vaccinations ongoing, the organisation is “cautiously optimistic” that some of the travel and gathering restrictions have been rolled back by the time the SIRC is staged in November.
The SRA secretariat is planning a hybrid event, combining a virtual component – similar to last year’s Re-Mind event – and a scaled-down live segment, which will take into account all prevailing health and safety protocols at the time.
Haushofer revealed that the theme of the 17th SIRC will be “Re-insurance: Quo Vadis?” The theme, he said, reflects the critical juncture the industry is in at the present. The SRA is planning to announce more details about the event in the late summer.
Meanwhile, the SRA has passed a special resolution to retain its current executive committee (EXCO) for the 2021-2022 term. Haushofer of Validus Re remains as chairman, with Kenrick Law of Allianz as deputy chairman.
Theresa Wee of Singapore Re will keep the office of honorary secretary, while Ann Chua of AXA XL is honorary treasurer. The committee’s members are James Beedle (Partner Re), Victor Kuk (Swiss Re), Richard Lim (China Re), James Park (Munich Re), Christoph Spichtig (SCOR) and Pavlos Spyropoulos (Lloyd’s of London).
“I am honoured to have received the support and vote of confidence from my colleagues on the EXCO to continue to lead the Association for another term,” said Haushofer. “This past year has been exceptionally taxing for many of us. The SRA too has clearly been tested as well with most activities having to be organised virtually and remotely.
“A degree of uncertainty will become the new normal especially if this pandemic becomes endemic. However, our industry has been dealing with the ambience of meagre predictability since its early beginnings. Hence, I am convinced that we will successfully get through this eventually.”
