Kawai confirmed as SEADRIF director
The Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF) Council of Members has endorsed Dr Yoshihiro Kawai’s appointment as the SEADRIF initiative director, originally announced in March but now confirmed.
“SEADRIF is pleased to announce that all necessary governance procedures have been completed, and Dr Kawai officially assumes the role in early August 2024,” stated the Singapore-based catastrophe insurance platform.
“In this newly created function of the initiative director, Dr Kawai will build up a strong management function to strengthen governance, capacity building, and stakeholder relationships within the SEADRIF Initiative, enhancing its beneficial impact for ASEAN+3 countries,” it explained.
ASEAN+3 comprises Southeast Asian countries plus China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
“As chair of the SEADRIF Insurance Company, Dr Kawai will continue to lead the company in positioning itself for future growth. Dr Kawai will oversee both the SEADRIF Initiative and the SEADRIF Insurance Company, guiding them to fulfill the strategic vision of fostering a more financially resilient ASEAN+3 region against disaster and climate shocks,” it added.
Additionally, Dr. Kawai will serve as secretary general of the ASEAN＋3 DRF Initiative, which was launched by the ASEAN+3 Finance Process. “The role will be crucial in leading the implementation of the Initiative’s strategic vision aimed at fostering a more financially resilient ASEAN+3 region against disaster and climate shocks. SEADRIF looks forward to aligning with the broader regional DRF agenda and implementing the ASEAN+3 DRF Initiative under Dr Kawai’s leadership,” said SEADRIF.
Dr Kawai is recognised globally and within the region as an influential leader in disaster risk financing, with notable roles such as chair of the OECD Insurance and Private Pension Committee, chair of the Global Asia Insurance Partnership (GAIP), advisor to the Commissioner of Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA), and member of the International Advisory Council, China National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA). He is also a visiting professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy, Tokyo University.
Dr Kawai has led the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) for 20 years as deputy secretary general (1998-2003) and secretary general (2003-2017).
