The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has outlined its regulatory priorities for 2027, which centre on developing the financial sector and enhancing the industry's efficiency in line with growth and ongoing transformation.
The priorities were discussed at a roundtable with CEOs of insurers and banks operating in the UAE. The UAE Financial Sector Supervisory Roundtable was organised by the CBUAE under the theme “Fostering Financial Resilience and Prosperity”.
In his opening remarks, CBUAE Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama said, “At the Central Bank, financial stability remains at the forefront of our priorities. We are working to develop regulatory frameworks and apply risk-based supervision. Financial institutions’ resilience rests on their financial soundness and their ability to anticipate risks, respond to disruptions and recover swiftly, thereby protecting customers and strengthening trust in the financial system.”
He added, “As financial services become increasingly interconnected, direct dialogue with banks and insurance companies gives us deeper insight into the challenges they face and helps them translate our supervisory expectations into practices that strengthen their readiness to address risks. Through this cooperation, we reinforce the foundations of a resilient and innovative financial sector that supports the UAE’s long-term prosperity.”
In sessions chaired by Mr Ahmed Saeed Al Qamzi, CBUAE Assistant Governor for Banking and Insurance Supervision, the central bank presented an overview of its 2027–2029 strategy, its regulatory and supervisory framework, and its regulatory priorities for 2027. Also covered were the CBUAE’s efforts to develop the suitability framework and strengthen governance in financial institutions, alongside the resilience of the CBUAE and updates on the Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP).
Aside from discussing strengthening the resilience of banks, the sessions covered developments in the UAE insurance market and supervisory reviews related to resilience, digitalisation and climate.