During the 21st SIRC in Singapore, IFC hosted a private panel discussion on resilience and insurance, bringing together global experts to explore how financial innovation can help close protection gaps and strengthen climate resilience in emerging markets.

🎙️ The session opened with welcoming remarks from Katia Daude Gonçalves, IFC Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei, followed by opening insights from Allen Forlemu, Regional Head of Industry & Director, FIG Asia Pacific & Interim Regional Vice President, IFC. Together, they set the stage for a dynamic conversation on how IFC is driving adaptation and resilience through strategic investments and partnerships.

🔑 Discussion highlights included:

• The difference between resilience and adaptation

• Why investing in disaster risk reduction makes economic sense

• Gaps in insurance coverage, product innovation, and data infrastructure

• How IFC supports banks, insurers, and agribusinesses with capital, tools, and blended finance

• New initiatives like the Building Resilience Index and infrastructure resilience funds

👥 The panel included:
IFC colleagues:

• Florence Boupda – Global Sector Manager, Distressed Assets Recovery, Housing Finance & Insurance, FIG, IFC (Moderator)

• Ommid Saberi – Global Program Lead, Building Resilience Index, IFC

• James Smouse – Global Head of Insurance Investments, IFC

• Zeeshan Vazeer – Global Lead, Insurtech; Asia Lead, Insurance, FIG, IFC

Distinguished industry leaders:

• Ben Yue Qin – Head of Asia Pacific, Descartes Underwriting

• Brendan Dunlea – Asia Head, Property & Engineering Underwriting, QBE

• Graeme Riddell – Climate & Sustainability Risk Consulting Leader, Asia; Co-lead, Climate Global Centre of Excellence, Marsh

• Michael Walz – Technical Sales Lead, Public Sector Solutions, Swiss Re

This was a unique opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and explore collaborative solutions as part of IFC’s broader commitment to climate-smart development and sustainable finance.

📌 Explore the key highlights from the session in the Activity Snapshot we’ve prepared. It’s now available to read!