Chairmen and CEOs from more than 50 of the world’s leading exchanges gathered in Vancouver this week for the 49th General Assembly and Annual Meeting of the World Federation of Exchanges.

This assembly represents the largest and most widely attended gathering of global exchange leaders. The last meeting was held in Milan in 2008.

“Over the last year, global economic uncertainty created unprecedented challenges and opportunities for exchanges, our stakeholders and policy makers,” said Thomas Kloet, CEO of TMX Group.

“TMX Group is very proud to host this important gathering at such a critical time. Open dialogue, the sharing of ideas and the work that takes place at these meetings help shape strategy and policy for the world’s top exchange groups.”

“Important issues will be addressed at this WFE annual meeting, including corporate governance, market structure, and the role exchanges played to stabilize markets during the recent financial crisis,” said William Brodsky, who is completing the first year of his two-year term as WFE chairman. Brodsky is also chairman and CEO of the Chicago Board Options Exchange.

Topics being reviewed by exchange industry leaders at the Annual Meeting include: exchanges’ roles in the financial crisis and afterwards; servicing the over-the-counter market; corporate governance; dark pools; and competition for order flow.

The WFE is presenting its first “Award for Excellence” to Baruch College Professor Robert Schwartz in recognition of his contribution to the understanding of regulated markets.

The event’s keynote speaker is Kenneth Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel Investment Group. Guest speakers include Raymond Louie, Deputy Mayor of Vancouver, David Wilkins, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada and Richard Saines, North American Climate Change and Environmental Markets Practice Group leader at global law firm Baker MacKenzie.

The WFE General Assembly approved the membership of Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) and Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange (MICEX). With this, WFE membership reaches 53 regulated exchanges.

The General Assembly also elected its new board of directors for 2010; a list of the new directors is attached.

The next WFE Annual Meeting will be hosted by NYSE Euronext in Paris on Oct. 11-12, 2010, when the Federation will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

IE