The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has announced that US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins and 2025 Nobel Prize-winning economist Joel Mokyr will headline its upcoming symposium in Sydney on March 4.
The event, titled “The Asia Pacific Opportunity – Innovating for Growth,” will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney from 2pm to 7pm AEDT. It follows the Asia-Pacific meetings of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and consultations with the European Commission, drawing securities regulators from around the world to the city.
Atkins will deliver a recorded keynote address followed by a Q&A session, while Mokyr, a Northwestern University professor whose research focuses on the economic roots of technological progress, will give a virtual opening address exploring the conditions for sustained growth during periods of rapid technological change.
Senior regulators on the program
The speaker list also includes additional regulators and industry leaders. Verena Ross, Chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority, will join a panel on international regulatory approaches led by ASIC Chair Joe Longo. That panel also includes former SEC Enforcement Director Richard Walker and Macquarie Group CEO Shemara Wikramanayake.
A separate discussion on innovation across Asia will feature Tuang Lee Lim, the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Assistant Director of Capital Markets and Chair of the IOSCO Fintech Task Force, alongside Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association CEO Peter Stein and Zodia Custody Managing Director Deborah Algeo.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann will also deliver a recorded address on global financial markets.
Longo said the symposium would focus on both the opportunities and risks posed by new technology.
“There is no bigger opportunity facing our economies and businesses than how to embrace the rapid evolution of technology,” he said. “At the same time, regulators need to ensure we have the right frameworks and guardrails in place.”
The event will be hosted by Ethan Wu, Asia business and finance editor at The Economist and co-host of the publication’s Money Talks podcast.
Tickets are now available through ASIC’s website.
