JOINT FORUM

The Joint Forum was established in early 1996, and brings together the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors. Thirteen countries are represented in the Joint Forum: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Australia is represented at the Joint Forum by both the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The Joint Forum conducts studies into areas of joint interest for banking, insurance and securities regulators. It aims to develop guidance and identify best practices in areas such as risk assessments and management; internal controls and capital; audit and actuarial functions; and corporate governance. It also aims to identify the core principles of the banking, insurance and securities sectors that are common to each and to better understand differences where they arise. Issues relating to financial conglomerates are also an important consideration of the Joint Forum.