The Securities Depository Center (SDC), represented by its CEO, Mrs. Sarah Tarawneh, participated in the World Forum of CSDs (WFC2025) held in Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, during the period September 24–26, 2025. The event brought together a distinguished group of executive leaders and experts from various Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) around the world.

During the forum, discussions focused on a range of topics including the evolving role of central securities depositories (CSDs) in the global financial market, diversification and innovation to achieve new initiatives in the post-trade industry, the efficiency of financial settlements and strategies for enhancement, reshaping IT infrastructure within CSDs, the future of artificial intelligence in depository operations and clearing and settlement functions, bridging markets to enhance global connectivity and interoperability, building effective risk management within the framework of financial market infrastructure (FMI) principles, the role of post-trade services in promoting sustainable development, establishing effective business continuity processes to mitigate risks, and enhancing the role of data as a critical asset in decision-making related to financial markets.

The CEO of the Securities Depository Center (SDC) participated as a speaker in one of the panel sessions titled “Establishing Effective Business Continuity Processes to Mitigate Risks in the Post-Trade Industry”, under the broader theme: “The Evolving Landscape of CSDs: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities and the Future of Post-Trade Infrastructure.”

During the session, Mrs. Tarawneh emphasized that market infrastructures must treat risk as a dynamic, ongoing, and vital process. She noted that cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly complex by the day, and it is essential to continuously find ways to address or mitigate these risks. She also highlighted that the rapid pace of technological change and digital transformation adds further challenges, requiring greater efforts in risk management.

Tarawneh added that interconnected relationships increase risk exposure, as dependence on service providers and vendors necessitates close attention to the risks they face, which can easily impact core operations. Therefore, reliance on third parties may constitute a potential point of failure for many. She also addressed geopolitical risks, emphasizing that geopolitical conditions introduce new types of threats for certain CSDs, and such risks must be continuously reassessed.

In her concluding remarks, Tarawneh noted that as the working environment evolves, so do the risks. Accordingly, CSDs and financial market infrastructures must remain alert and continually update their risk checklists, which can never be static.

This participation comes as part of the SDC's ongoing efforts to strengthen its international presence and reaffirm its active role in supporting the growth and development of financial markets, in line with its strategy to excel and innovate in the delivery of financial services.

The WFC Forum is a prestigious international platform that brings together representatives of central securities depositories to exchange experiences and discuss the most prominent challenges and opportunities in the industry, promoting the adoption of best practices and the development of joint working mechanisms.

On the sidelines of the WFC forum, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) was also held. The Securities Depository Center is a member of AMEDA and serves on its Board of Directors.