The 11th Global Risks Summit, organized by the Enterprise Risk Management Association (KRYD), was held on February 18, 2025, at Sabancı Center under the theme "Managing Uncertainty and Opportunities in the Age of Multiple Crises."
Bringing together leading figures from Turkey and around the world, the summit addressed topics such as geopolitical and economic risks, disaster resilience, risk agendas in boardrooms, innovations in the insurance sector, global risks, and their impact on the business world.
Risk management professionals and business representatives made an urgent call for collaboration to take action before it is too late in managing the increasing uncertainty caused by multiple crises.
With AXA Sigorta as the Main Sponsor and Strategic Partner, along with sponsorship from Aon, Marsh, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the support of the Business for Goals (B4G) Platform, the summit featured leading experts who discussed current global risks and their impact on Turkey and the business world from a holistic perspective.
Panels held during the summit covered economic and geopolitical approaches to uncertainties, resilience strategies in the business world in the context of disasters, risk agendas in corporate governance, and innovative insurance models.
In the opening speeches, Gökhan Eyigün, Group President of Strategy and Business Development at Sabancı Holding, and Bora Akdoğanlar, Chairman of the Board of KRYD, shared their evaluations of the global risk environment. Bora Akdoğanlar, Chairman of the Board of KRYD, stated, "One of the key messages at the Global Risks Summit is that disaster preparedness and risk management must always be a priority on the business world's agenda. In this context, we emphasize the importance of collaboration between the business world, civil society organizations, public and local governments, and society as a whole. We must learn from past experiences and interpret today correctly to prepare for the future. We are in a transformation process in terms of green, digital, and social transformation. The results of this process affect all global dimensions, including natural, political, economic, and social aspects. From a risk management perspective, in this age of transformation and multiple crises, we must focus on balancing the needs of the business world and human life with the sustainability of natural resources. I believe that, especially in the context of rapid digitalization and social transformation permeating every aspect of our lives, business models must be made more resilient, agile, and lean to adapt to these changes."
As the guest of honor at the summit, Charlotte Hedemark Hancke, the President of the European Federation of Risk Management Associations (FERMA), which represents Turkey in KRYD, shared the 2024 FERMA Global Risk Manager Survey report and the FERMA 2025 roadmap. Hancke stated, "According to the report, the risks that will stand out in the coming year are cyberattacks, geopolitical uncertainties, uncertain economic growth, talent management, and data breaches. For the next 3 years, regulations, geopolitical uncertainty, and the pace of technological change are prominent, while for the next 10 years, adaptation to climate change, carbon-neutral transformation, and natural disasters are the main focus."
AXA Turkey CEO Yavuz Ölken said, "We need to reassess the role of insurance in the age of uncertainty. We are not the guardians of the future; our goal is to make the future more comfortable and secure, both for predictable and unpredictable risks. Insurance is not just about providing a product or service; it is an ecosystem focused on collaboration for a better future. As insurers, we operate as a sector that provides sustainability to businesses and creates collaborative solutions for them.
We need to accurately analyze the risks faced by governments, institutions, companies, and individuals. Business empathy is crucial in this regard. Reinsurers, brokers, and we, the insurance companies, have significant roles in this process. We must understand the growth journey of businesses and draw inspiration from the best examples when managing risks."
Onur Ünlü, Chairman of the Business for Goals (B4G) Platform, said, "It is what we do or don’t do that turns natural events into disasters. As the earthquake risk in Istanbul and its impact on our economy grow, it is crucial that we take precautions. With the United Nations' motto 'Build Back Better and Greener!', we must shape the reconstruction processes with this understanding before disasters cause destruction."
Ahmet Cemal Dördüncü, Chairman of the UN Global Compact Turkey, stated, "Achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is not just an ethical choice or a temporary trend. It is a necessity that requires the shared responsibility of all stakeholders and is the foundation of risk management and long-term value creation. The pauses we experienced during the Copenhagen Summit and the financial crisis showed us the importance of adaptation and strategic change. Today, amidst economic and security concerns, dependency on fossil fuels, and pressures created by uncertainties, the time has come to focus on the 'how' rather than the 'why' and to develop sustainable business models and lead the transformation."
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