Has COVID-19 driven a final push lower in very loose monetary and fiscal policy worldwide, the rise of on-line business models, and de-globalisation, or was the world going down this path anyway? Two leading economic thinkers, Andrew Balls of PIMCO and John Butler of Wellington, will provide their perspectives on the future direction of the global economy post the pandemic.

The trends towards economic ‘de-coupling’ of China from other countries, particularly developed countries, and ‘regionalisation’, often touted as the next phase of globalisation, may be accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this session, our panel of Asia-based investors will explore the opportunities and risks for China and Asia more broadly of these trends, and the implications for investors.

The transitions occurring in the global economy and society pose many challenges for investors. Global equity investor Sharon Fay of AllianceBernstein shall reflect on her experience of investing through challenging times and discuss some of the tools that investors can draw upon, including active management, ensuring diversity of investment approaches, and the assessment of ESG risks including climate change.

It is now more important than ever for insurers to consider how to utilise the reserves backing their regulatory capital requirements and any surplus capital to best support their businesses.