by Dr. sci. Safet Kozarevic, Professor, Faculty of Economics, University of Tuzla
The Eastern European Risk and Insurance Association (EERIA) hosted its Annual Research Conference on 25–26 September 2025 at the School of Economics and Business, University of Sarajevo, in partnership with the Faculty of Economics, University of Tuzla, the Insurance Supervisory Agency of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Economic Institute of Sarajevo.
This year’s edition once again underscored EERIA’s core mission - to strengthen the dialogue between academia, industry, and regulators across Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe, fostering research-based insights that can drive innovation and market stability.
Knowledge Exchange and Research Excellence
Over two days, participants from universities, supervisory authorities, insurance companies, and intermediaries explored a broad spectrum of themes - from closing the natural catastrophe protection gap and enhancing financial resilience, to cross-sector dynamics between banking and insurance, advances in actuarial science, and the ethical and governance challenges of AI-driven digitalization.
The opening ceremony set an intellectually engaging tone, with keynote addresses by Mr. Ivan Luburić and Prof. Karel Van Hulle, who focused on the urgent need for coordinated policy and market responses to reduce the protection gap against natural catastrophes. Their insights were followed by a high-level panel that delved into public–private cooperation in disaster risk financing and resilience building.
Highlights from the Research Sessions
At the heart of the event were the academic paper sessions, showcasing original research and applied analysis:
- Banking and Cross-Sector Dynamics: Researchers examined the interconnections between financial sectors, including bank–insurance linkages and volatility spillovers between banking, insurance, and energy markets - highlighting the systemic nature of today’s financial ecosystem.
- Insurance Sector Developments: Papers covered diverse topics such as earthquake risk modelling, motor insurance pricing drivers, and insurance literacy, emphasizing that innovation must go hand in hand with accessibility and public understanding.
- A special intervention by Jean Pierre Daniel stressed the importance of public–private collaboration as a foundation for sustainable insurance development and long-term sectoral resilience.
- Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Insurance: The final session offered a forward-looking perspective on how technology is reshaping client communication, risk assessment, and governance. Discussions around the ethical use of AI resonated strongly, underscoring the need for responsible innovation.
Collaboration, Purpose, and Regional Impact
Beyond the academic excellence, the conference stood out for its spirit of collaboration. The informal exchanges - from panel discussions to coffee breaks and evening conversations - reflected a shared commitment to advancing the role of insurance in strengthening resilience and trust across the CEESEE region.
Holding this year’s event in Sarajevo, in the heart of the Western Balkans, carried profound symbolism. A city marked by both challenges and renewal, Sarajevo represents resilience - a fitting metaphor for the evolving insurance sector itself, continuously adapting to uncertainty while enabling recovery and growth.
Continuing the Conversation
As EERIA 2025 drew to a close, participants agreed that the discussions begun here are not an end, but a continuation. The insights exchanged will inform future research, policymaking, and business practice - helping shape a more connected, innovative, and resilient insurance industry for the region and beyond.
