CDF Voice | Andreas Berger, Group CEO of Swiss Re

Dear ladies and gentlemen, very warm greetings from Switzerland. It is my pleasure to participate in the 2025 China Development Forum, and I am excited that my first attendance coincides with the CDF's 25th anniversary – congratulations!

Swiss Re has been part of this prestigious event since 2012 and has witnessed the CDF's growing influence in China's dynamic economic development, a role that has never been more important. Today, we are living in a world that faces an ever-growing range of complex challenges from increased geopolitical tensions, fragmented economic growth, to rising risks of extreme weather and natural catastrophes to name but a few. The rapid development of technologies such as AI offer tremendous opportunities but also come with uncertainties and risks. These and many other challenges require us to work even more closely together. As such, global collaboration and constructive dialogue are even more vital to navigate issues and ensure a shared prosperous future, and this underscores the importance of the CDF as a leading platform to facilitate open and in-depth sharing and debate.

China is transitioning from rapid growth to a phase of high-quality development with a focus on the green transition, technological transformation, and the improvement of people's livelihoods, and I am happy to share my views on these significant topics.

Against the backdrop of the intensifying impacts of global climate change, China has made great progress towards a green economy. It is now a major force worldwide in terms of renewable energy, notably in the solar and wind power industries. It is driving forward the green transition of industrial and consumer activities while mitigating the increasing impact of natural disasters. The insurance industry is also playing its part by enabling such adaptation through the management and transfer of risks on that journey.

The increasing importance of technological development and innovation in China has led to growing investment in science, research and development. In turn, this is driving up the economic value of intangible assets such as intellectual property, technology, and human capital. Insurance serves as an integral part of this process by mitigating potential risks arising from innovation and safeguarding technology transformation.

China, like many other countries, is also undergoing demographic changes which call for a greater focus on infrastructure that meets the needs of an ageing population, comprehensive post-retirement risk protection and financial support, healthcare services, and tailored consumer products. Recognizing this pressing need, at Swiss Re we are committed to working closely with our Chinese clients and partners to close protection gaps through our bespoke reinsurance solutions.

As one of the most dynamic economies in the world, China is of great strategic importance to Swiss Re. Our vision, expertise and ambition are well aligned with China's focus on high-quality development and shared prosperity. I am proud to say that Swiss Re's close business ties with China started over 90 years ago and have only strengthened over the years. This enduring relationship stands as a testament to our collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to China.We are deeply grateful for all the support and cooperation from the regulators, our clients, partners, stakeholders such as CDF Secretariat, and of course our employees as well as the great communities in which we operate in China. At this year's CDF I am very much looking forward to meeting many of you to exchange ideas and inspire each other.

With that, I wish CDF 2025 great success!

Thank you!

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