CAMAC has published a discussion paper The AGM and shareholder engagement.

CAMAC has identified three principal issues relating to the continuing corporate governance role of the AGM:

• the role of the AGM within the broader context of the ongoing relationship between the board and the institutional and retail shareholders of the company, often referred to as shareholder engagement
• the content of the annual report, being the principal document for consideration at the AGM that provides information to shareholders on the state of the company and the stewardship of the board
• the current processes, and possible future functions and formats, of the AGM, taking into account technological developments and opportunities.

The discussion paper considers whether AGMs should be abolished or, if retained, permit a company to dispense with any requirement for the chair and other corporate representatives to be present or ‘live’ at any location. The meeting could be conducted solely through electronic presentations, discussions and voting procedures, according to an agenda timetable published and operated electronically.