The 2nd Annual Conference of EIOPA takes place today in Frankfurt am Main, addressing fundamental issues of the European financial landscape as the future development and sustainability of the private pension systems, financial stability and insurance regulations in the wake of the Solvency II implementation.

The European institution will share with the participants the crucial results of the Authority's work in 2012 and the challenges that lay ahead of the insurance and occupational pensions sectors in the years to come. Gabriel BERNARDINO, Chairperson, EIOPA, Frankfurt am Main, Germany will address the welcoming speech and Dr. Thomas STEFFEN State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Berlin, Germany will give a keynote speech.

Continuing their traditional media partnership with the European institution, XPRIMM Publications are represented in Frankfurt by Daniela GHETU, Editorial Director and Vlad BOLDIJAR, Senior Editor, who will keep you posted with the most interesting news.

The three sections of the Conference will discuss the following topics:

Session 1: Pensions - What shall we change so that nothing changes?

Many of today's older Europeans can look forward to generous pensions paid for many decades. But an ageing population, low growth and constraints on public expenditure make the prospects for tomorrow's pensioners uncertain. What should we change now to meet these challenges?

Panellists:

• Joanne SEGARS, Chief Executive, The National Association of Pension Fund (NAPF), London, United Kingdom
• Joanne KELLERMAN, Executive Director, De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. (DNB), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Patricia PLAS, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, AEGON N.V., The Hague, The Netherlands
• Karel Van HULLE, Head of Unit, Internal Market and Services DG, Directorate H - Financial Institutions, Insurance and Pensions, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium
  

Moderator:

• Carlos MONTALVO, Executive Director; EIOPA, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Session 2: Insurance Regulation - The Way Ahead

At its inception, Solvency II showed the way ahead for the new insurance regulatory landscape. The project would ensure high level standards for consumer protection but also mirrored benefits for the industry in Europe and globally.

Today, the project is facing its biggest challenge: reality. Which options will ensure the long-term sustainability of the business in highly volatile markets? Regulators, industry, consumers and practitioners are invited to present their views on how to ensure the success of the regulatory overhaul.

Panellists:

• Sergio BALBINOT, President, Insurance Europe, Brussels, Belgium; Managing Director, Assicurazioni GENERALI S.p.A., Trieste, Italy
• Jeremy COX, Chief Executive Director, Bermuda Monetary Authority, Hamilton, Bermuda
• Seamus CREEDON, Groupe Consultatif Actuariel Europeen, Brussels, Belgium; EIOPA Insurance & Reinsurance Stakeholder Group
• Mick McATEER, Director, The Financial Inclusion Centre, London, UK; European Commission Financial Services User Group (FSUG)
• Michael McRAITH, Director of Federal Insurance Office (FIO), US Department of the Treasury, Washington D.C., USA
  

Moderator:

• Daniele NOUY, Secretary General, ACP - Autorite de Controle Prudentiel (ACP), Paris, France

Session 3: Financial Stability - Are Insurers Actors or Victims?

In the wake of the financial crisis, insurers find themselves in the middle of the regulatory limelight amid discussions on systemic importance and shadow banking. At the same time, the sector is struggling with declining asset values and exceptionally low interest rates. Are insurers victims of a banking-originated crisis, or actors in a global financial shake-up?

Panellists:

• Peter BRAUMULLER, Chairman, Executive Committee, International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS); Member of the EIOPA Management Board, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• Nadia CALVINO, Deputy Director General, Internal Market and Services DG, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium
• Francesco MAZZAFERRO, Head of the ESRB Secretariat, European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• Nikolaus von BOMHARD, Chairman of the Board of Management, MUNICH Re, Munich, Germany
  

Moderator:

• Matthew ELDERFIELD, Deputy Governor (Financial Regulation), Central Bank of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland