The microinsurance sector has experienced persistent growth in client outreach and premium volumes over the past ten years. Today, nearly 300 million low-income citizens in developing countries are covered by an insurance policy. New technologies are boosting market coverage. In Asia alone, the number of people insured through mobile phones exceeds 40 million. Furthermore, the G7 has decided to insure 400 million people against climate risks by 2020. Nonetheless, many people are still without cover or alternative risk management options. With the global middle class expected to grow to nearly five billion within two decades, we are looking at billions of people who are without a formal safety net from insurance and hence at risk of falling (back) into poverty. The need to respond to this situation by understanding the role of insurance for sustainable development, improving supply, heightening the awareness of insurance, creating the right regulatory framework and better understanding the particular needs of the low income population is the main focus of the International Microinsurance Conference.