Generali hosts the 2025 Chief Investment Officer Forum: rethinking resilience in a fragmented world

In a world increasingly shaped by demographic transitions and geopolitical fragmentation, long-term investment thinking has never been more critical. This was the central message of the Geneva Association’s 2025 Chief Investment Officer Forum, held on 8^th-9^th October and hosted by Generali, which convened leading CIOs from the global insurance sector for two days of strategic dialogue and insight exchange.

Held in the historic setting of Venice’s Procuratie, the Forum offered a timely opportunity to reassess traditional investment assumptions and explore more resilient, forward-looking approaches. The event welcomed high-profile external speakers, including Charles Michel (former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium) and Francesco Billari (Rector of Bocconi University and professor of demography), who enriched the discussions with their geopolitical and demographic perspectives.

A key theme of this year’s Forum was the longevity economy - the growing need for sustainable retirement income solutions as populations age. Discussions focused on the role of private markets and alternative assets in closing protection gaps and supporting long-term financial security. CIOs examined how these instruments can be integrated into institutional portfolios to enhance diversification and resilience.

Participants represented insurance companies from across four continents - America, Europe, Asia, and Australia - collectively managing assets totalling USD 21 trillion. The Forum also addressed the challenges of investing in a fractured global economy, where agility and strategic clarity are paramount. Sessions explored how CIOs can optimize relationships with asset managers, navigate regulatory shifts, and advance ESG integration in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Generali’s Group Chief Investment Officer, Francesco Martorana, commented: “We were pleased to host the meeting of the leading insurance Chief Investment Officers who are part of the Geneva Association, delving into the trends and socio-economic phenomena that will shape the future of our industry and financial markets. The many insights shared stem from a deep awareness of the strategic role we play as insurers - on one hand, in defining a strategic asset allocation aligned with portfolio liabilities, and on the other, in supporting economic resilience: ensuring a steady flow of capital, fostering economic growth, and mitigating market volatility.”

The event was not only a platform for technical exchange but also a reaffirmation of the insurance industry’s role in enabling long-term societal resilience. As Generali continues to evolve its investment governance and sustainability frameworks, hosting the CIO Forum reflects the Group’s strategic ambition to lead with purpose and foresight.