September 6, 2017, Astana. The 9th annual meeting of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) is taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 5-7 September, hosted by Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk–Kazyna. The opening ceremony was attended by Bakhytzhan Sagintayev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Umirzak Shukeyev, CEO of Samruk-Kazyna JSC; and Adrian Orr, Chief Executive of the IFSWF Secretariat.
For the first time in the IFSWF's history, its annual meeting is taking place in Central Asia, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The event brings together representatives of more than 20 leading world sovereign wealth funds, including Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Malaysia), China Investment Corporation (China), Russian Direct Investment Fund (Russia), Qatar Investment Authority (Qatar), CDP Equity (Italy), Kuwait Investment Authority (Kuwait), as well as leaders of international organizations, global companies and financial institutions. 

The theme of this year's annual meeting is 'exploring new frontiers' in a volatile financial and political world. 

Bakhytzhan Sagintayev, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, addressed the guests and participants of the 9th annual meeting of IFSWF in Astana: “Kazakhstan is creating a new model of economic growth based on diversification, digitalization and technological modernization of the economy. We provide attractive investment opportunities for investors in key sectors such as engineering, agro-industrial complex, logistics, petrochemicals, advanced technologies, tourism, and others. Samruk-Kazyna plays crucial role in its transformation. The structure of the Fund includes large high-performing assets in various sectors of the economy, the cost of which amounts about USD 70 billion. Samruk-Kazyna operates under the long-term strategy on modernization of the national economy, which focuses on privatisation and market reforms. Today I would like to emphasize that the Government of Kazakhstan is ready for an open dialogue with representatives of the investor community.”

Among the key issues on the agenda this year are: asset allocation and risk management in volatile markets; the five-year global investment scenario for sovereign funds; and major trends in the digital economy. The participants will also discuss the impact of sovereign wealth funds on global markets and the role of IFSWF members in shaping new investment approaches and solutions.

Adrian Orr, Chair of the IFSWF and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, said:  "Sovereign wealth funds are increasingly influential in global markets, able to exploit their long-term horizons to earn premium returns and provide stability and long-term capital to global markets. Given rapidly moving trends in technology and growing acceptance of the financial benefits of responsible investment for long-term investors, it is clear that sovereign wealth funds will need to continue to adapt and change to stay at the forefront of global investment practice. I was heartened to see the commitment to ongoing innovation and best practice by all IFSWF members.”

The forum includes meetings between IFSWF members, interactive discussions and workshops, and public panel sessions. The participants of the Forum will discuss the possibility of implementing joint projects and current issues in the development of sovereign funds in four open panel sessions: "Developing a Digital Economy"; "Dynamic Development – Harnessing the Power of Sovereign Wealth Funds"; “Effective Privatizations – the Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds” and “A new globalization – China’s 'Belt and Road' initiative”.
 
Umirzak Shukeyev, CEO of Samruk-Kazyna, said: “It is an honour to be hosting this high-level international meeting for the first time in Central Asia. The IFSWF is a great platform for international collaboration and the sharing of knowledge between global sovereign funds. The theme of this year’s annual meeting, “Exploring New Frontiers”, appropriately captures the global investment sentiment, setting a new course for identifying new market and environmental trends, improving efficiency, advancing innovation and bridging the digital divide. As a result of the forum, the funds will benefit from  new innovative ideas and ways to make strategic decisions, expanding their skillsets and knowledge to attract new investments.”

Following the IFSWF meeting, Samruk-Kazyna plans to sign several preliminary agreements of cooperation with the world's leading corporations and development institutions, including the Italian Strategic Fund CDP Equity S.p.A, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (The World Bank), as well as the international corporation General Electric (GE).