Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or “the Exchange”) will be hosting the 63rd WFE General Assembly & Annual Meeting on 19-21 November 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The WFE is the global industry association for exchanges and clearing houses.
The 3-day event is the WFE’s flagship conference that brings together the captains of industry among global exchanges, regulatory authorities and key institutions for highlevel discussions on major issues surrounding the industry. This year, more than 300 delegates and representatives of 50 organisations from all over the globe will participate in the event, mostly in person, while some will join virtually.
Among others, highlights from the conference include:
- Keynote address by the Prime Minister of Malaysia YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim;
- Fireside chat with YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Malaysia’s Finance Minister II, moderated by Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia on ‘Capital Markets in Malaysia – The Way Forward’;
- Fireside chat with Dr. Jane Goodall, eminent primatologist, moderated by Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman of Bursa Malaysia & WWF-Malaysia, on bridging markets and biodiversity;
- Panel discussions on topics including:
- The modern exchange and market infrastructure in today’s changing marketplace
- Role of exchanges in supporting the development of the diverse and fastgrowing South East Asia region
- The Great Listings Debate: IPO Winter or Emerging Phoenix? o The Great Settlement Debate: To T+1 or Not
In a joint welcome note to the delegates, Tan Sri Wahid and Datuk Umar said, “We are honoured to be hosting this event, which will bring together a remarkable gathering of minds among the leaders of key institutions, united by a shared passion for innovation, collaboration and purpose. Bursa Malaysia looks forward to further contribute to the WFE’s efforts to help shape and guide the development of global capital markets, as well as promote greater diversity and inclusion.”
“We are also excited to share some of the latest developments from Malaysia, and how the wider ASEAN region is collaborating on initiatives that will position the region as a forerunner in sustainability leadership to meet the evolving needs of market participants.”
Nandini Sukumar, CEO of the World Federation of Exchanges, said “The ASEAN region is a dynamic powerhouse, led by the innovation and vigour that its exchanges bring to the development of the market. We are delighted to be in Kuala Lumpur, graciously hosted by Bursa Malaysia, who are central to the efforts of our industry and the country.”
The conference host rotates between regions each year with Bermuda in 2023 and Malta in 2022. The last time Malaysia hosted the WFE General Assembly & Annual Meeting was 26 years ago in 1998.
As 2025 approaches, it is timely for Malaysia to host this year’s WFE edition, given that the nation is poised to play a bigger role to promote a more inclusive and sustainable regional economy when it assumes the chairmanship of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year. This year’s WFE will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration between several ASEAN Exchanges.
More information on WFE and the conference is available at https://www.worldexchanges.org/ and https://gaam2024.wfecm.com/.
