As part of the first round of the Risk Certification Program implementation, IFC conducted review classes on the fundamentals of financial risk on November 17-24 in Tashkent. The review classes focus on risk-management methodologies, governance structures for the management of risk in financial institutions, and an overview of globally accepted standards and concepts in these areas.

The program is organized in partnership with the Global Association of Risk Professionals, a globally recognized leader in financial-risk testing and certification programs, and educational and training activities.

Representatives of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan and local training partners (Regional Baking Training Center and Federation of Accountants, Auditors and Consultants of Uzbekistan) joined the classes and passed GARP’s certification exam in Tashkent. Local training partners will further train staff of local banks and financial institutions during the second phase of the program. The review classes were held in Azerbaijan in September and in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan in October.

“Risk management is important aspect of stability of the banking system”, said Jahongir Abdurasulov, Deputy Director of Department of licensing and coordination of credit organizations’ activity at the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan. ”The banks are looking for good risk-management practices and are trying to test various methods. IFC’s Risk Certification Program, the first in the region, provides a unique opportunity to improve my knowledge of risk management from an international perspective.”

This training initiative is part of the IFC Azerbaijan-Central Asia Financial Markets Infrastructure Advisory Services Project, and the IFC Financial Markets Crisis Management Project, which are funded by Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

“IFC’s Risk Certification Program provides local banks and microfinance institutions access to globally acknowledged financial risk-management concepts and standards,” said Rolf Behrndt, IFC Regional Business Line Manager. “We hope as many bank and microfinance organization employees as possible will take these opportunities to expand their knowledge of financial risk management and earn certificates from the Global Association of Risk Professionals.”

IFC aims to strengthen financial markets in the region by strengthening credit information systems and risk-management practices and education, as well as by facilitating the resolution of distressed loans.