Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories Forum held in Moscow

On 12-15 May 2025, the Forum of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD) hosted by National Settlement Depository, part of the Moscow Exchange Group, took place in Moscow. The Forum brought together over one hundred guests from AECSD countries and other regions. Representatives from the Bank of Russia, the Ministry of Finance, major banks, fintech companies and IT companies attended the event.

The key topic of the Forum was mutually beneficial cooperation aimed at achieving real results. On the first day, the focus was on the potential of international cooperation and the various experiences involved in developing infrastructure and financial markets in the Eurasian region. The Forum's second day was devoted to current technological trends, opportunities, and risks.

The business programme began with a panel discussion on 'Eurasian Financial Market Infrastructures: Effective Cooperation for Mutual Prosperity'. The speakers were representatives of the Federation of Eurasian Capital Markets and CSDs from Russia, Indonesia, Turkey and Kazakhstan. Participants discussed key topics for the AECSD, such as how to improve the efficiency of its post-trade infrastructure, and how to standardise and harmonise it. They also discussed how to develop integration processes between financial market infrastructures within the AECSD, and the main challenges and ways to address them. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance, Gazprombank and infrastructure organisations, including Moscow Exchange, NSD and Infinitum, provided a detailed overview of the Russian financial market. The speech of the guest, Alexander Misurkin, a Hero of Russia and pilot cosmonaut, aroused special interest. Drawing on examples from his own life, he explained how the seemingly impossible can be achieved through mutual respect, trust and cooperation.

On the second day of the Forum, participants discussed the modern technologies that are transforming our vision of the financial market and the world around us. Experts considered ways to implement innovations that would minimise risk, increase efficiency and ensure compliance with regulations. The heads of fintech companies shared their vision of key innovation trends. They also spoke about the role of artificial intelligence. Continuing on this topic, there was a panel discussion on 'Automated Post-Trading', which is a key area for CSDs.

Experts discussed how they have used modern tools, robotisation and cloud solutions to improve efficiency of operations.

A number of memorandums and agreements were signed by the end of the Forum. The extraordinary meeting of the AECSD also decided to set up the Association's Board of Directors. This body will be responsible for making key decisions between general meetings. Infinitum Specialised Depository, one of the AECSD's longest-standing observers, was granted associate membership.