Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The UAE Capital Market Authority (CMA) has reaffirmed its growing global role, as Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, CEO of CMA, was reappointed as Chair of the Africa and Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of International Organization of Securities Commissions for the 2026–2028 term.
The reappointment reflects continued confidence in the UAE’s regulatory framework and underscores its role in strengthening market stability and advancing coordination across jurisdictions.
In an interview, Al Awadhi described the decision as a clear indication of the UAE’s rising influence in global financial governance, noting that “the reappointment reflects the strong international confidence placed in the UAE's regulatory leadership and its role in shaping global financial markets.”
He added that the unanimous support highlights the country’s consistent commitment to resilient and transparent systems, stating that “this unanimous decision recognises the UAE's ongoing commitment to developing transparent, resilient, and forward-looking financial markets.”
He further emphasised that the UAE’s proactive strategies and regulatory adaptability “have reinforced its position as a trusted and influential participant in global regulatory discussions, contributing to market integrity and stability.”
Looking ahead, Al Awadhi outlined a forward-looking agenda for AMERC, centred on resilience and regulatory responsiveness.
He stressed that “our priorities for the 2026–2028 term will focus on strengthening market resilience and advancing regulatory responses to rapid changes in the financial landscape,” with particular attention to emerging sectors.
This includes “deepening work on digital assets and emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and tokenisation.”
At the same time, he underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation and capacity building, noting that a coordinated approach ultimately “supports sustainable market development”.
On the UAE’s role in enhancing regional stability, Al Awadhi pointed to the strength of its regulatory systems and economic diversification, particularly in times of global uncertainty.
He stated that “the UAE contributes significantly to regional market stability by maintaining advanced regulatory practices, robust financial infrastructures, and strategic economic diversification”.
Maintaining investor confidence remains central, as “the emphasis remains on ensuring continuity of market operations and maintaining investor confidence”.
He also highlighted the value of regional collaboration, noting that “our active collaboration within AMERC ensures a cohesive regional approach to overcoming market disruptions and reinforcing investor confidence across our markets.”
Expanding on this, Al Awadhi emphasised the critical role of cross-border regulatory coordination in today’s interconnected financial landscape.
He explained that “cross-border regulatory coordination plays a fundamental role in enhancing market resilience by mitigating systemic risks, improving transparency, and ensuring consistent investor protections.”
Such coordination, he added, allows regulators to act more effectively, as “effective coordination allows regulators to share information, align supervisory approaches, and respond more quickly to emerging risks.”
Within AMERC, this collaboration helps “reduce regulatory gaps and support more consistent oversight across markets,” reinforcing stability across the region.
Addressing the balance between innovation and investor protection, Al Awadhi stressed that both remain central to the UAE’s regulatory approach.
He noted that “the UAE approaches innovation and investor protection as parallel priorities,” ensuring that technological advancement does not come at the expense of market integrity.
While regulatory frameworks continue to evolve alongside fintech and digital assets, “investor protection remains central, with a focus on ensuring that information is clear and risks are properly understood”.
This balance has helped establish “a trusted environment where innovation can progress without compromising market integrity or investor confidence”.
Looking to the future, Al Awadhi highlighted strong growth prospects for regional capital markets, driven by diversification and changing investor needs.
He observed that “capital markets in the region are entering a phase of expansion, supported by economic diversification and a growing need for more efficient funding channels”.
Opportunities in sustainable finance, fintech, and digital assets are particularly promising, with “clear potential in areas such as sustainable finance, financial technology, and digital assets”.
Increasing regional integration is also enhancing market accessibility, ultimately “positioning the region to attract a broader base of international capital”.
Finally, he underscored the importance of collaboration within AMERC in advancing inclusive and sustainable growth.
He explained that “collaboration within AMERC supports sustainable and inclusive market growth by enabling regulators to address shared challenges in a more coordinated way,” while also facilitating the exchange of expertise and alignment of responses.
As he noted, “it provides a platform to exchange experience on emerging risks and helps ensure that responses are better aligned”.
Over time, this coordinated approach “supports broader participation and more resilient markets,” reinforcing long-term stability across the region.
