GLOBAL - Amman, Jordan, is to play host to the OECD/IOPS Global Forum on Private Pensions in December.

The three-day meeting is being organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors and the Insurance Commission of Jordan. It will be sponsored by the government of Japan.

It will run from December 13-15 and be chaired by Ambrogio Rinaldi, head of Italian pensions regulator Covip.

"The objective of the conference will be to explore policy options and practical solutions to managing risks faced by key pension industry players in the new financial environment," said IOPS secretary general André Jadoul.

"The new financial environment, characterised by low interest rates and returns, coupled with shifting demographics and increasing costs, is posing new challenges to pension fund sponsors, managers, participants and supervisory authorities."

Confirmed speakers include IOPS president John Ashcroft, the OECD's Juan Yermo and the World Bank's Richard Hinz.

Also speaking will be Watson Wyatt's Paul Thornton, representing the International Actuarial Association and De Nederlandsche Bank's Aerdt Houben.

The conference would focus on the issue of the employee's choice in defined contribution private pension schemes and the related issue of financial education. Risk-management tools will be examined in depth.

New strategies being adopted by the supervisory authorities to respond flexibly to changing financial environment will also be addressed.