Ayman Kandeel: Sharm El Sheikh Rendezvous is an opportunity for networking and exchanging global ideas and experiences to develop the insurance industry in Egypt Cairo, Egypt – 3 October, 2022: AXA Life Insurance-Egypt sponsored the fourth Sharm El Sheikh Rendezvous, which is scheduled to be held from 2 to 4 October 2022, under the auspices of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Financial Regulatory Authority. This sponsorship comes in the frame of AXA’s strategy towards sustainable insurance, supporting and developing the insurance sector in Egypt. The fourth Sharm El Sheikh Rendezvous is held under the title "Towards New Horizons in the Insurance Market", in the presence of Dr. Ehab Abu Aish, Deputy Minister of Finance, Major General Ihab Salem, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Mr. Alaa El Zoheiry, Chairman of the Insurance Federation of Egypt, Dr. Mohamed Farid, Executive Chariman of Financial Regulatory Authority, Dr. Islam Azzam, Assistant Chairman of the Authority, Counselor Reda Abdel Moati, Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the Authority, Major General Abdel Fattah Helmy, Governor’s Media Advisor on behalf of South Sinai Governor, major insurance companies, and experts insurance sector from around the world. In line with the government’s efforts to achieve sustainability, it is scheduled to discuss sustainable insurance and the way to COP27 throughout one of the sessions at the conference, in addition to discussing the insurance sector’s contribution within confronting climate change. Ayman Kandeel, Managing Director of AXA Life Insurance Egypt and Chairman of AXA General Insurance expressed his pride in AXA’s participation and sponsorship of this global conference, consolidating AXA’s effective role in developing the insurance sector in Egypt. Moreover, he highlighted that this conference is an opportunity for networking and exchanging global ideas and experiences to develop the insurance industry. In this light, Kandeel said: "AXA Egypt was launched in the Egyptian market more than seven years ago, backed by 200 years of experience globally. Since then, we are keen on activating our role as a responsible investor to develop the insurance sector and transfer global expertise to highlight our leadership at the local level.” He further expressed: “Our participation and sponsorship in this conference is an integral part of our strategy, which is based on commitment to integrating environmental, social and governance practices into our business.” He added: “We aim to implement these practices within many programs and initiatives, and AXA for Progress Index highlights this, in which it measures AXA’s progress and enhances the impact of its sustainable strategy. In parallel, AXA Egypt sets an annual plan to achieve sustainability among its employees, internally, and among its success partners, externally.” AXA's internal efforts include many axes, foremost of which is working to save energy through the use of energy-saving devices and lighting, and contribute to reducing the plastic use inside the company, relying on recyclable products. In addition, AXA has partnered with Up-Fuse for recycling, and it empowers its employees by organizing training workshops to encourage implementing environmental practices. Furthermore, AXA Egypt works on reducing its total carbon dioxide emissions, in which employees can abide by the working from home policy to reduce their daily commute, as well as, simplifying its internal processes to reduce paper waste and save more than 215,000 in 2021. Believing in its role, the company aims to reduce the carbon footprint by 20% by 2025, raise awareness among its workers on climate issues through AXA Climate Academy by 2023, and enhance the share of insurance products with a positive impact on the environment through guarantees or services provided. On the other hand, AXA’s external sustainability practices include implementing several awareness campaigns for its clients, partners, and the public about environmental issues through many activities. AXA's goal to reduce emerging risks is reflected on the local level, as AXA Egypt abides by a list of prohibited industries. This year, AXA set up a booth in the North Coast to spread awareness about environmental sustainability and encourage families to collect plastic waste on the beach under the title “Safe صيف” for the second year in a row. During summer season in the North Coast, plastic was recycled, through which AXA was able to collect more than 3 tons of plastic and waste to preserve marine life. -Ends-