Dear reader

As industrial nations struggle to control the fallout from the financial crisis, global growth is increasingly dependent on emerging markets. Can emerging markets sustain this growth and help extricate the world from its current economic malaise? Or are there risks in emerging markets that may make for a bumpier road towards global economic recovery?

The Centre held several events in the second half 2011 featuring emerging markets. A number of the prominent speakers are contributors to this edition of the Risk Dialogue Magazine, reflecting on a range of issues, from growth and political stability to investment and insurance.

I hope you enjoy the thought-provoking articles.

Yours faithfully
Annabelle Hett

Risk and opportunity in the archipelago world

Nader Mousavizadeh considers the political risks entailed by the retreat of US hegemony, the rise of state-centric development frameworks, and the effects these will have on the Middle East. Read more »

Demographics in emerging countries: necessary but not sufficient for success

Some emerging markets stand on the threshold of their demographic dividend; while others are ageing rapidly. George Magnus explains what the repercussions of this might be, with particular reference to China and India. Read more »

China: Transitional changes under the Twelfth Five-year Plan

China is currently the motor of the global economy. Liu Yanhua discusses how the authorities plan to further develop and diversify the giant economy within the parameters of the Five-year Plan. Read more »

Emerging markets: Risks, challenges and opportunities

Emerging markets offer an attractive diversification option for investors. However, they are far from risk-free, or isolated from the financial crisis in industrial economies, as suggested by Jérôme Haegeli and Chuan Lim. Read more »

Public-private insurance solutions in emerging markets

Emerging and developing markets frequently lack the financial strength to effectively withstand the costs of a natural catastrophe. Ivo Menzinger and Reto Schnarwiler outline how public-private insurance solutions can increase resilience. Read more »