CGAP to become new host of the Access to Insurance Initiative (A2ii)
CGAP will become the new host and convenor of the Access to Insurance Initiative (A2ii) effective 1 July 2025 and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) will become a member of CGAP.
This partnership, shaped by a thorough and inclusive consultative process, reflects the global recognition that access to insurance is critical for achieving global financial inclusion and financial health goals. The strong strategic alignment and complementary expertise of the A2ii and CGAP, along with the IAIS’ convening power with the global insurance supervisory community, will advance inclusive insurance and foster broader financial sector development through an agenda of knowledge generation, advocacy and collaboration with global stakeholders.
Under CGAP stewardship, the A2ii will now sharpen its focus on advancing the frontier of financial inclusion and inclusive insurance through the following strategic priorities:
- Championing the Inclusive Insurance Declaration, advocating for its adoption within national financial inclusion strategies, and guiding policymakers and supervisors in setting actionable objectives and indicators.
- Leading the Inclusive Insurance Innovation Labs which serve as peer exchange platforms to explore and test innovative approaches, with insights shared widely to benefit the supervisory community.
- Contributing to relevant IAIS activities, ensuring that knowledge from inclusive insurance work informs global policy discussions.
IAIS Executive Committee Chair, Shigeru Ariizumi: “I am pleased to see this milestone partnership take shape, as integrating the A2ii – the IAIS’ key implementation partner on financial inclusion – into the CGAP environment reflects strong strategic alignment between the A2ii, CGAP and IAIS, and creates new opportunities to support supervisors and enhance the global financial inclusion agenda in the insurance sector.”
CGAP CEO, Sophie Sirtaine: “I am delighted that CGAP will be hosting the next phase of A2ii. It will enable us to leverage the synergies between the IAIS, the ongoing work of insurance supervisors throughout the world, and CGAP’s research and guidance on the role of inclusive insurance in supporting key development objectives such as building resilience to health and climate crises. Together, we can advance adoption of inclusive insurance, while testing new approaches and sharing knowledge of what works.”
Chair, A2ii Governing Council and Executive Committee, Peter Braumüller: “This partnership marks an exciting new phase for the A2ii under CGAP, driven by a shared vision and strong supervisory voice to support the insurance community effectively. I am pleased that the critical mission of the A2ii will continue, and I am confident our impact will be enhanced with CGAP.”
As of 1 July, current A2ii materials will be accessible on CGAP’s website and the self-assessment tool will be available on the IAIS’ website. Other key materials produced before the transition will be accessible through this link.
A2ii’s current collection of training tools and materials will now be supported and advanced by dedicated training institutes, including the Toronto Centre, the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and the International Actuarial Association in partnership with the IAIS. To build on A2ii’s foundational efforts in providing training materials to insurance supervisors and other stakeholders, the IAIS will continue to strengthen its relationships with these institutes and foster new partnerships, ensuring sustained capacity-building support for the global supervisory community.
Please find the statement in pdf here.
Background
About the A2ii
The A2ii is a global partnership with the mission to inspire and support supervisors to promote inclusive and responsible insurance, thereby reducing vulnerability. The Initiative was created in 2009 to respond to requests from policymakers, regulators and supervisors for learning and advice on access to insurance. Through its efforts, A2ii has significantly strengthened supervisory practices, fostered innovation and helped expand access to insurance for underserved populations, ultimately ensuring greater financial resilience and protection for vulnerable communities. As the IAIS‘ key partner on financial inclusion, the A2ii works directly with supervisors to disseminate knowledge, support peer learning and build capacity with the goal of building inclusive insurance markets that are aligned with IAIS standards. Follow A2ii on LinkedIn.
About CGAP
CGAP is a global partnership of more than 40 development organisations working to advance the lives of people living in poverty, through financial inclusion. Housed at the World Bank, it works at the frontier of inclusive knowledge to test solutions, spark innovation, generate evidence, and share insights. As a global public good, its independent research and analysis is available to all. Learn more at www.cgap.org. Follow CGAP on LinkedIn or subscribe to its newsletter.
About the IAIS
The IAIS is a global standard-setting body whose objectives are to promote effective and globally consistent supervision of the insurance industry to develop and maintain fair, safe and stable insurance markets for the benefit and protection of policyholders and to contribute to the maintenance of global financial stability. Its membership includes insurance supervisors from more than 200 jurisdictions. Learn more at www.iais.org. Follow us on LinkedIn: IAIS – International Association of Insurance Supervisors.
Media contacts
IAIS
Melanie Clowes
+41 61 280 8442
press@iais.org
CGAP
Jahda Swanborough
+1 (202) 938 7498
jswanborough@worldbank.org