The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) hosted the second IUMI Asia Forum in Shanghai on 22-23 May and appointed a new additional Asia Ambassador to enhance its position in the region. Agnes Choi, Chair of Promotion and External Relations for the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board and former IUMI Executive Committee member, has been selected to take on this important role.
Agnes’ key responsibilities will include close liaison with the Asian markets, advising insurance professionals on IUMI and IUMI policy; providing information about Asian marine insurance to the IUMI Executive Committee; working with and building IUMI’s membership across the region; and acting as an IUMI education ambassador.
Asia is a key focus and growth area for IUMI, and the organisation opened its Asia Hub in Hong Kong in 2016 to help foster closer cooperation with IUMI’s Asian members and the wider maritime industry.
The second IUMI Asia Forum was held in partnership with the Shanghai Institute of Marine Insurance (SIMI). It was a huge success with over 300 senior management representatives in attendance. The Asia Forum is structured differently to IUMI’s annual conference (held annually in September) – it targets more local and regional delegates, as well as international attendees, and the industry scope is wider, encompassing more than just underwriting.
Over the course of the conference the presenters discussed many of the challenges and key issues that underwriters currently face. Digitalisation and its impact on the shipping and logistics industries was high on the agenda, alongside the current trade tensions between countries.
Notes to editors:
The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) represents 43 national and marine market insurance and reinsurance associations. Operating at the forefront of marine risk, it gives a unified voice to the global marine insurance market through effective representation and lobbying activities. As a forum for the exchange of ideas and best practice, IUMI works to raise standards across the industry and provides opportunities for education and the collection and publication of industry statistics. IUMI is headquartered in Hamburg and traces its roots back to 1874.