Friday, 16 October 2020
09:00−11:00 (UTC +12) Fiji / Tuvalu
10:00−12:00 (UTC +13) Tonga

Please take note of your local time, which may be on Thursday 15 October:
11:00−13:00 (UTC -10) Cook Islands
17:00-19:00 (UTC -4) New York
23:00-01:00 (UTC +2) Geneva

Language: English

Webinar organized in collaboration with the ISSA Focal Point Office for Pacific Island Countries

This webinar will discuss the important role that social security and provident funds in the Pacific have taken in mitigating the economic and social impact of the coronavirus crisis.

In addition to highlighting innovative measures to support employers as well as workers and their families, a specific focus will be on the delivery of these measures in the context of lockdowns and social distancing rules as well as on their financing.

The webinar will thereby also be an opportunity to discuss the importance of business continuity plans and crisis preparedness, and the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 crisis for further improving these plans in the future.

Speakers

• Damien Beddoes, Chief Executive Officer, Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund, Cook Islands
• Michael Bloomfield, Chief Executive Officer, Retirement Fund Board, Tonga
• Penielu Teo, Chief Executive Officer, Tuvalu National Provident Fund, Tuvalu
• Pravinesh Singh, Acting Chief Operations Officer, Fiji National Provident Fund, Fiji

This webinar will examine the following questions:

• What social security and provident fund measures have been taken to support employers as well as workers and their families during the crisis?
• What were challenges in implementing and delivering these measures in the context of various restrictions related to the coronavirus, and how could these challenges be overcome?
• How have the measures been financed, and what is the long-term financial impact in the context of reduced contributions and investment volatility?
• Many funds in the Pacific have experience with natural disasters and extreme events. How have existing business continuity and emergency plans been useful, and how can they be further developed based on the lessons from the COVID-19 crisis?
• COVID-19 may be the biggest crisis in modern times affecting the whole world and recovery is anticipated to take some time. What are some foreseen immediate challenges post-COVID and what is the strategy or plan to address them?

Agenda

• Welcome by Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, ISSA Secretary General
• Case experience of Fiji
• Case experience of Tonga
• Case experience of Tuvalu
• Case experience of Cook Islands
• Q&A – Discussion
• Conclusions

Moderated by Jens Schremmer, Head of the Secretary General’s Office, ISSA

Practical information

The webinar is open to delegates of ISSA member organizations and invited institutions from the Pacific Island countries without registration fees.