Amman, Sept. 13 (Petra) -- Nearly 2,000 insurance and reinsurance professionals are expected to gather at the Dead Sea next month for the 35th General Arab Insurance Federation Conference (GAIF2026), with discussions set to focus on artificial intelligence, emerging risks and new risk-transfer instruments transforming the industry.

More than 1,700 participants from 44 countries have registered for the Oct. 4-7 conference so far, with attendance expected to reach around 2,000 as registration continues, the event’s organizing committee said Sunday.

Held under Royal Patronage at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, the conference is organized by the General Arab Insurance Federation and the Jordan Insurance Federation under the theme "Back to Basics." The organizing committee said it has finalized the conference program, which includes five main sessions featuring executives and specialists from major Arab and international insurance and reinsurance companies.

The discussions will examine some of the most pressing shifts facing insurance markets, ranging from digital transformation and emerging-risk underwriting to artificial intelligence, machine learning, parametric insurance and catastrophe bonds.

The conference will open with the General Arab Insurance Federation’s General Assembly, which will announce the composition of its board for the remainder of the 2026-2028 term and review the secretary-general’s report, decisions and recommendations.

The industry sessions begin Oct. 5 with a discussion on balancing the insurance sector’s core principles with the demands of digital transformation. Hitesh Kotak, Munich Re’s Chief Executive Officer for Property and Casualty Insurance in Asia and the Middle East, will take part in the session, moderated by Guardian Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers General Manager Hany Abboud.

The Oct. 6 program will turn to emerging risks and underwriting, bringing together Riyadh Re Chief Underwriting Officer Belhassen Tonat and Chedid Re Global Chief Operating Officer Elie Abi Rached, with Dima Shatara of ETG moderating.

A separate session will examine parametric insurance and its role in addressing catastrophe risks, featuring Trigger Parametric Chief Business Officer André Eisele and moderated by Christina Chalita, Senior Vice President at France-based Nasco Re.

The same day, actuarial consultant Dana Barhoumeh will discuss the application of actuarial expertise to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The session will be moderated by University of Jordan Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies and Pure Analytica founder and CEO Moataz Al-Debei.

The final session on Oct. 7 will examine investment in modern risk-transfer instruments, including catastrophe bonds and alternative capital. Atlantic Re CEO Wafaa Meriouah will speak at the session, moderated by RAK Insurance Head of Risk Management Adnan Abu Al-Haija.

Alongside the conference program, dedicated networking areas and B2B meetings will allow participants to meet prospective clients and partners and explore business opportunities.

GAIF2026 will conclude with a meeting of the federation’s board, the announcement of the General Assembly’s decisions and recommendations, and the unveiling of the venue and date for the 36th conference.

//Petra// RZ