The International Investment Funds Association (IIFA) wrapped up its 22nd annual conference and general meeting in Montreal today. The three-day conference attracted delegates from 29 countries.

Richard Gilbert, chairman of the board of the IIFA, and Joanne De Laurentiis, president & CEO of The Investment Funds Institute of Canada and host of the conference, said members came together to discuss industry issues, such as the strong role investment funds play in helping investors meet their financial goals, including building their retirement savings, key regulatory issues affecting the industry, and the impact of the recent market turmoil on investment funds.

In a communiqué, the IIFA stated its “members strongly support the efforts of international regulators and legislators to act decisively to stabilize the global financial markets.”

“We believe recent government actions will go a long way to restoring order in the markets and building investor confidence after a period of extraordinary turmoil,” it added.

With markets not yet returned to normal, the urged governments, regulators funds, banks, insurers, dealers and the media to work together “to restore confidence and normalcy to the markets.”

“In the coming weeks and months IIFA members around the world will continue to do their part as hopefully our markets stabilize,” the IIFA said.

The association noted that the investment fund industry is no stranger to crisis, given its long history, and stated its optimism about the future.

“Just as in the past, investment funds will emerge from the current crisis as an indispensable tool for millions of average investors to save for retirement and participate in the global securities markets.”

The 2009 conference will be held in South Korea.

IIFA members and data collection participants include 36 associations from the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. Together, they manage close to US$24 trillion in investment funds.