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The 11th Global Risks Summit, organized by the Corporate Risk Management Association (KRYD), was held on February 18, 2025, at Sabancı Center under the theme “Managing Uncertainty and Opportunities in the Age of Multiple Crises.” Bringing together leading figures from Turkey and around the world, the summit addressed a range of topics, including geopolitical and economic risks, disaster resilience, risk agendas in boardrooms, innovations in the insurance sector, global risks, and their impact on the business world. Risk management professionals and business representatives issued an urgent call for cooperation, emphasizing the need for immediate action to navigate the increasing uncertainty caused by multiple crises.
The Global Risks Summit, an annual event organized by the Corporate Risk Management Association (KRYD) to unite professionals from various sectors involved in risk management in Turkey, took place at Sabancı Center on February 18, 2025. At the 11th edition of the summit, held under the theme “Managing Uncertainty and Opportunities in the Age of Multiple Crises,” critical topics shaping the global risk environment were discussed.
The summit was organized with the main sponsorship and strategic partnership of AXA Sigorta, along with sponsorship from Aon, Marsh, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and support from the Business for Goals (B4G) Platform. Leading experts in their fields addressed current global risks and their impacts on Turkey and the business world from a holistic perspective.
Panels held during the summit covered economic and geopolitical approaches to uncertainty, resilience strategies for businesses in the face of disasters, risk agendas in corporate governance, and innovative insurance models.
The summit began with opening speeches by Gökhan Eyigün, Sabancı Holding Strategy and Business Development Group President, and Bora Akdoğanlar, Chairman of the Corporate Risk Management Association (KRYD). Bora Akdoğanlar, Chairman of the Corporate Risk Management Association (KRYD), stated, “One of our key messages at the Global Risks Summit is that disaster preparedness and risk management must always be a priority on the business agenda. In this context, we emphasize the importance of collaboration among businesses, non-governmental organizations, public and local administrations, and society as a whole. We must interpret the present correctly by learning from past experiences and start preparing for the future now. We are in the midst of a transformation process in terms of green transition, digital transformation, and social transformation. The consequences of this process affect all dimensions—natural, political, economic, and social—on a global scale. From a risk management perspective, in this era of transformation and multiple crises, we should focus on balancing the needs of businesses and human life with the sustainability of natural resources. I believe that, especially with digitalization and social transformation rapidly permeating every aspect of our lives, business models need to become more resilient, agile, and streamlined to better adapt to change.”
Taking the stage as the guest of honor, Charlotte Hedemark Hancke, President of the European Federation of Risk Management Associations (FERMA), of which KRYD is a member representing Turkey, shared the FERMA Global Risk Manager Survey Report 2024 and the FERMA 2025 roadmap. Hancke stated, “According to the report, the key risks emerging in the next year include cyberattacks, geopolitical uncertainties, uncertain economic growth, talent management, and data breaches. For the next three years, regulations, geopolitical uncertainties, and the speed of technological change stand out, while for the next ten years, adaptation to climate change, carbon-neutral transformation, and natural disasters are expected to take priority.”
AXA Türkiye CEO Yavuz Ölken added, “We need to reassess the role of insurance in the age of uncertainty. We are not guardians of the future; our goal is to make the future more comfortable and secure against foreseeable and unforeseeable risks. Insurance is not just about offering a product or service—it is an ecosystem focused on collaboration for a better future. As insurers, we operate as a sector that enables businesses to achieve sustainability and creates collaborative solutions for them.
We need to accurately analyze the risks faced by governments, institutions, companies, and individuals. Business empathy is crucial at this point. Reinsurers, brokers, and we as insurance companies have significant responsibilities in this process. We must understand businesses’ growth journeys and draw inspiration from the best examples while managing risks.”
Onur Ünlü, Chairman of the Board of the Business for Goals (B4G) Platform, stated, “It is our actions—or lack thereof—that turn natural events into disasters. With Istanbul’s earthquake risk and its growing impact on our economy, taking precautions is essential. We must shape reconstruction processes with this approach before disasters cause destruction, in line with the United Nations’ motto, "Build Back Better and Greener!"
UN Global Compact Türkiye Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Ahmet Cemal Dördüncü stated, “Achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is not merely an ethical choice or a passing trend. It is a necessity that requires the shared responsibility of all stakeholders and serves as the foundation for risk management and long-term value creation. Past setbacks, such as those experienced during the Copenhagen Summit and the financial crisis, have demonstrated the importance of adaptation and strategic change. Today, amid economic and security concerns, dependence on fossil fuels, and pressures created by uncertainties, it is time to focus not on 'why' but on 'how'—developing sustainable business models and leading the transformation.” |
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