Description: As insurance companies in many jurisdictions around the world are in the midst a major overhaul of financial reporting processes for insurance contracts, the question about tapping on the experience of Solvency II may help these companies to implement IFRS 17. There are a few similarities between IFRS 17 and Solvency II, most notably with respect to the economic balance sheet approach, or the probability-weighted cash flow discounting techniques that both methodologies require. In addition, both IFRS 17 and Solvency II imply as broad and profound impact on all aspects of how insurers conduct business, from valuation methodologies and governance, data, processes, and technology impacts. Changes in roles and responsibilities between actuarial and finance departments also represent a considerable business impact. However, in this article the author highlights the salient differences between IFRS 17 and Solvency II.

Description: In this translation of an original article by Oscar E. Velandia, the role of the actuary in the Colombian insurance market place in light of regulatory change is examined. A comparison with the rules from the Solvency II Directive puts the actuarial function into context. In addition, the new financial reporting requirements set forth by IFRS 17 and the involvement of the actuary in finance is described.

Description: Composition of the new council and news about the International Section. Groupingactuaries living in different parts of the world and practicing in diverse areas of application of actuarial science, the International Section has sustained its relevancein a world that becomes more interconnected. The harmonization of solvency andconsumer privacy laws and regulations, and the establishment of international financial reporting standards, has prompted our Section to deliver content that helps complement the educational offer available from the Society of Actuaries. But actuaries around the world are enthusiastically tapping into predictive analytics, data science, and risk modeling. Accordingly, the SOA offers three certificate programs: • International Financial Reporting for Insurers (IFRI) • Predictive Analytics • Ethical & Responsible Use of Data

Description: The SOA added a new title to its book offerings: International Financial Reporting for Insurers (IFRI) (available in print and digital editions). The article describes the salient features of the work, which presents a comprehensive analysis of the fundamentals outlined in key International Financial Reporting Standards® (IFRS®).

Description: Actuarial activity in Azerbaijan commenced in 2008 with the enactment of the insurance law. The Actuarial Association of Azerbaijan was created in that year. The insurance law prescribes an official roster of actuaries who qualify after passing an exam. There is also the position of “appointed actuary” who reports directly to the board of directors of the insurance company. However, due to the relatively fast development of the insurance market, there is an urgent need of qualified actuaries. Actuaries Without Borders and the International Actuarial Association have thus helped in the capacity building process. This article describes the workshop that was held in Baku, in December 2019.

Description: In this fifth issue of International News of 2022, we feature the following contributions: (1) Ruben John John Callo, FSA, FIAA, FLMI, and the SOA’s Ambassador to Australia under the Ambassador Program , presents an illustrative study aimed at helping consumers choose life insurance products using the “customer value per dollar” methodology, and although examples included relate to the Australian market, the methodological principles can be adopted in other markets; (2) Shirley Z. Song, FSA, MAAA, Member of the International Section Council, Josh Dobiac, MS,CAIA, and Yang Jing, deal with the Targeted Improvements to the Accounting of Long-Duration Contracts (LTDI), and the fact that both IFRS and US GAAP frameworks are evolving into a new financial reporting framework. The implications for US insurers are discussed.

Description: Debriefing of activities at the Third African Actuarial Congress held on April 2013 in Lomé, Togo, and brief description of the status of the actuarial profession in a few Western African countries..

Description: Notes about the 4-day training seminar sponsored by SOA (LAC Committee), CAS and the Colombian Actuarial Association, held in Bogotá, Colombia, in May 2018.

Description: Briefing about recent activity of the International Section Council Members and initiatives, including recount of the International Committee charter.

Description: The author describes the 29th. edition of the International Summer School, held in Lausanne, Switzerland, organized by the Swiss Association of Actuaries.