Australian Securities and Investments Commission Chairman Greg Medcraft has defended his role with the international regulators’ body, arguing he gives Australia a voice at the negotiating table.

Mr Medcraft has been criticised for his travel since becoming Chairman of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) in March. Trips this year have included Toronto, New York, Dublin and Hong Kong.

“Being chairman does mean I have to travel from time to time, but I think it is important and benefits Australia,” he said in a defence posted on YouTube.

“So many of the issues facing Australia are global issues and need a global response. I want to make sure global initiatives work for Australia rather than against us.”

Mr Medcraft says IOSCO is working to make institutions more resilient to cyber attacks, save Australian business hundreds of millions of dollars through negotiations on derivative reforms and establish a global taskforce on facilitating capital flows.

It is considering global strategies on market-based financing and how to develop an investor protection strategy that identifies emerging risks.

IOSCO represents 95% of global capital markets.