Paul Bremer, former presidential envoy to Iraq will be on the Island next month to give the keynote address at a reinsurance congress held annually to look at issues facing the industry.

Ambassador Bremer, as a former leader of administration in Iraq, is the ideal person to speak to the subject of terrorism, Hawksmere organisers said in a statement yesterday. The subject will be on reinsurers? minds after many had to pay millions out in claims from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and fresh memories of the attacks on London?s transit system in July.

Annabel Davies, brand director at Hawksmere said of Ambassador Bremer: ?Not only is he one of the world?s most high profile figures involved in the fight against global terrorism, he has applied his experiences to the corporate realm whilst holding the position of director for numerous private companies, lending his expertise in crisis management, terrorism and homeland securities.?

This year?s Hawksmere will specifically focus on regulation and how global insurance practices have had major impacts on both individual companies and the reinsurance market as a whole.

Session topics include the long-term effects of the regulator?s activities and how they may affect brokers and commission structures, the issues likely to be front and centre for the industry in 2006, the consolidation of reinsurance capacity and specific exit strategies, plus how to manage reinsurance companies that are no longer selling policies but must remain open for a period to meet claims expectations. Hawksmere 19th International Reinsurance Congress, at the Fairmont Hamilton from October 19 to 21.