The dedicated Reinsurance Association of ADGM
Built to Lead
Reinsurance Forward
ARIA — the Association of Reinsurance (ADGM) Limited — is the dedicated reinsurance association in ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, the Capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), established in July 2025 in association with the ADGM.
ARIA serves as the specialist voice for reinsurance, retrocession, and structured risk transfer within ADGM, bridging the world-class regulatory environment of Abu Dhabi with the wider GCC region and the world.
ADGM
DEDICATED REINSURANCE association
2031
UAE VISION
ALIGNED
FSRA
REGULATED & SUPPORTED
REGULATORY ENGAGEMENT · EDUCATION & TRAINING · ARIA ACADEMY · MARKET INTELLIGENCE · ILS & CAPITAL INNOVATION · TAKAFUL & RETAKAFUL · AI-NATIVE INNOVATION · STRUCTURED RISK FINANCE · GLOBAL COLLABORATION · ADVOCACY ·
ESTABLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH
FINANCIAL SERVICES
REGULATORY AUTHORITY
NATIONAL ECONOMIC STRATEGY
FINANCIAL SERVICE EXCELLENCE
ABOUT ARIA
A Historic Milestone
for UAE Reinsurance
ARIA serves as the specialist voice for reinsurance, retrocession, and structured risk transfer within ADGM, bridging the world-class regulatory environment of Abu Dhabi with the wider GCC region and the world.
The Association of Reinsurance (ADGM) Limited — ARIA — was officially launched in July 2025 as the dedicated (re)insurance association, incorporated within ADGM in association with the ADGM and also supported by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and FSRA insurance regulation.
ARIA is the dedicated trade body for reinsurance and advanced risk solutions in ADGM, the UAE and the broader region. Its positioning is deliberately specialist — focused on reinsurance, retrocession, captives, structured-risk and resilience finance, Shariah-compliant and cooperative risk-sharing, and AI-native innovation.
By institutionalising collaboration across (re)insurance players and fostering industry-wide dialogue, ARIA catalyzes innovation, attracts capital, and builds a knowledge-based (re)insurance economy aligned with the UAE's vision of global leadership in sustainable financial services, strengthening the GCC reinsurance market.
"This is a transformative moment for the (re)insurance industry in the UAE and the wider region."
FOUNDING MEMBERS, ARIA
Association of Reinsurance (ADGM) Limited — July 2025
ADGM
DEDICATED Reinsurance ASSOCIATION
2025
YEAR
ESTABLISHED
IAIS
STANDARDS ALIGNMENT
AAOIFI
TAKAFUL FRAMEWORK
CORE FOCUS AREA
Four Pillars of
ARIA's Mission
ARIA's work is organized across four strategic domains designed to elevate the (re)insurance sector and position ADGM and Abu Dhabi reinsurance hub as a global center of reinsurance excellence.
01
Advocacy & Regulatory Engagement
The authoritative voice before FSRA, CBUAE, and regional regulators — shaping policy and embedding industry interests in regulatory development including FSRA's ILS and synthetic sidecar framework.
02
Education & Professional Development
Building the next generation through CPD-accredited learning, the planned ARIA Academy, and an Academic Council — raising capabilities across the MENA (re)insurance market.
03
Market
Development & Intelligence
Conducting research, producing market data, and driving ADGM's emergence as a premier reinsurance hub with actionable intelligence on capacity, pricing, and regulatory developments.
04
Thought
Leadership
& Innovation
Positioning ADGM at the frontier of (re)insurance innovation — from ILS and blended finance to Takaful, parametric risk transfer, and AI-native risk solutions.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
What ARIA
Stands For
ARIA's mandate rests on six strategic objectives that collectively position ADGM as the leading (re)insurance association in ADGM, the UAE, and the GCC.
REFERENCE STANDARDS
IAIS Core Principles · AAOIFI Standards · CBUAE Regulatory Framework · FSRA Insurance Rulebook · ADGM Financial Services and Markets Regulations
01
Represent the (Re)insurance Sector
Represent the (Re)insurance Sector
Promote and safeguard the interests of all (re)insurance entities operating within ADGM, Abu Dhabi, and across the UAE before regulators, policymakers, and international bodies.
02
Build a Globally Competitive Market
Support a transparent, resilient, and globally competitive (re)insurance market aligned with IAIS Core Principles and FSRA standards.
03
Elevate Professional Standards
Promote best practice and high ethical standards through training, certification, the ARIA Academy, and an industry-wide Academic Council.
04
Engage with Regional Regulators
Foster constructive dialogue with CBUAE, SAMA, CBB, DFSA, and GCC regulators, contributing to harmonized standards and policy development across the region.
05
Advance Takaful & Retakaful
Facilitate development of Takaful and Retakaful business within ADGM, supporting Islamic finance product innovation consistent with AAOIFI standards.
06
Align with UAE Vision 2031
Contribute to UAE national goals for economic diversification, financial services excellence, and Abu Dhabi's positioning as a global reinsurance hub.
AI-NATIVE INNOVATION
At the Frontier of
Risk Intelligence
AI-NATIVE INNOVATION
Partnerships Driving the Next Wave
ARIA advances AI-driven solutions and pilot projects in collaboration with leading technology institutions, embedding the next generation of risk intelligence into the ADGM (re)insurance ecosystem.
MBZUAI · HUB71 · GCRI GENEVA
CAPITAL MARKETS
ILS, Sidecars & Structured Risk
ARIA actively supports FSRA's landmark consultations on Insurance-Linked Securities and synthetic sidecar structures — making Abu Dhabi the first regulator in the region to formally explore ILS frameworks.
FSRA ILS FRAMEWORK · SYNTHETIC SIDECAR
CAPACITY BUILDING
ARIA Academy & Academic Council
The planned ARIA Academy will deliver CPD-accredited professional development and executive education tailored to the specialist needs of the ADGM reinsurance market.
ARIA ACADEMY · ACADEMIC COUNCIL
BEHIND ARIA
Founding
Members
ARIA was established by a founding membership of senior executives and institutions with deep roots in the regional and international reinsurance market. Their collective expertise and commitment define the foundation on which ARIA is built.
Oussama A. Kaissi
CHAIRPERSON· INDUSTRY LEADER
Founder & CEO, Meridiem Group. Former CEO, ICIEC (IsDB Group) 2015–2024.
30 years of CEO-level experience in political risk, reinsurance, Islamic finance, and development finance.
Afroditi Boura
FOUNDING MEMBER · INDUSTRY LEADER
Co-founder of ARIA and Senior Partner at Pnyx Hill Group. Over 25 years of international experience in (re)insurance, governance, risk, and compliance across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Abu Dhabi Re
Founding Member · Reinsurer
Abu Dhabi Reinsurance Company Limited, a leading regional reinsurer providing capacity and market credibility as a cornerstone of ARIA's founding membership.
Fidelis Opco Limited
Founding Member · Reinsurer
The ADGM-based entity of Fidelis Insurance Group, a globally recognised specialty reinsurer with a strong presence in ADGM and Lloyd's markets.
Aon (Middle East)
Founding Member ·
Broker
AON Management Services (Middle East), the regional arm of the world's leading professional services firm providing risk, reinsurance, and capital advisory solutions.
01
Industry Voice
Representation before FSRA, CBUAE, and regional policymakers on issues material to the sector.
02
Market Intelligence
Proprietary data, statistics, market reports, and regulatory updates exclusive to members.
03
Events & Networking
Priority access to ARIA's industry forums, technical seminars, and senior practitioner events.
04
ARIA Academy Access
CPD-accredited training and professional development tailored to the ADGM specialist market.
05
Thought Leadership
Co-authoring and visibility rights in ARIA publications, policy papers, and media channels.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
LATEST NEWS & INSIGHTS
ARIA in the
Market
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