Microfinance Focus, November 4, 2011: Munich Re Foundation in collaboration with the Microinsurance Network will be organizing its 7th International Microinsurance Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from November 8 to 10, 2011.

Over 400 experts from more than 50 countries are expected to gather for the event to discuss challenges and opportunities in microinsurance, while also focusing on lessons learnt and emerging issues. The conference will be supported by the Brazilian Confederation of Insurers (CNseg), the Superintendence of Private Insurance (Susep), GIZ/BMZ and Georgia State University.

With 22 sessions and over 70 speakers addressing key questions in the field, the conference represents one of the largest gatherings of microinsurance experts in the world.

The issues to be discussed during the conference include an economic analysis of market opportunities and barriers, national and regional strategies for microinsurance development in relation to various parts of the globe, and innovative approaches that improve microinsurance distribution.

The conference also marks the occasion when the Brazilian National Congress will vote on a law that will incorporate specific regulation on microinsurance activities to enhance the access to insurance for the low-income population of Brazil.

A plenary session will focus on the opportunities and challenges within the microinsurance sector in Brazil, as well as innovative strategies in distribution, the regulatory perspective and lessons learnt. Another session will examine the lessons from a variety of national insurance strategies including cases from the Philippines, Zambia and Colombia.

There will be four academic track sessions which will include amongst others, Stefan Dercon, the Development Economist, Professor of Development Economics at Oxford University and former leader of the “insurance against poverty programme” at World Institute for Development Economics Research.