CEO Message
The financial sector is instrumental in the UAE’s efforts to achieve economic prosperity and progress. This vital sector has long been a national priority due to its central role in driving sustainable development and paving the way for a bright and sustainable financial future, which aligns with national aspirations while also ensuring the happiness and welfare of stakeholders, the general public, and future generations.
Undoubtedly, the leadership’s wisdom, guidance, and insightful, forward-looking vision—coupled with its strong belief in the potential of the UAE people—have resulted in remarkable and unprecedented achievements across various economic sectors, most notably the capital market sector. These achievements have enhanced the business climate and positioned the UAE as an attractive destination for global investors, as acknowledged by international institutions.
The Capital Market Authority (CMA) believes firmly in the leading role of financial markets in driving the UAE’s economic development. To this end, it has been making its best efforts to create a legislative environment that promotes business growth and attracts capital from across the region and around the world. It also aims to advance financial inclusion metrics and contribute effectively to realizing the ‘We The UAE 2031’ vision and the UAE’s sustainable development goals.
Achieving those objectives provides a strong impetus for the CMA to maintain its dedicated efforts to promote investments, enhance the business environment, foster innovation, and utilize AI applications and financial technology. These efforts align with its ambitious vision of establishing the UAE as a global capital hub while ensuring the implementation of the highest standards of integrity and transparency to safeguard the rights of investors in accordance with the best international practices and standards.
Effective leadership always necessitates successful integration among various state sectors and institutions, as well as fostering fruitful and collaborative partnerships with international organizations. Finally, the CMA believes that establishing trust-based relationships with all segments of society has been fundamental to success, enabling it to build on its past achievements and advance to the next phase of development to make the UAE’s capital markets at the forefront of the world’s markets.
H.E. Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience across financial services, financial regulation, governance, public policy, and legislation. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the UAE’s Capital Market Authority, where he is advancing the regulatory framework in line with international standards, strengthening market integrity, and steering the Authority’s strategic direction in support of national economic priorities.
Prior to this role, H.E. Al Awadhi was Chief Operating Officer at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the independent integrated regulator of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). In this capacity, he oversaw key functions including licensing and authorisation, strategic operations, technology and innovation, cybersecurity, and corporate affairs, and led the Authority’s digital transformation programme.
He is actively engaged with global standard-setting bodies, including the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), and the Union of Arab Securities Authorities (UASA). He currently serves as Chair of IOSCO’s Africa and Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) and is a member of the IOSCO Board. He is also a global assessor for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s Mutual Evaluations.
At the national level, H.E. Al Awadhi serves on several boards and committees, including Dubai Health, Al Etihad Credit Bureau, Al Jalila Foundation, and the National CSR Fund (Majra), in addition to the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Committee.
Earlier in his career, he held senior roles across banking, media, real estate, and technology, including at Emirates Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Media, Dubai Holding, and Etisalat. He holds a Master of Laws in Commercial Law and a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Business Science and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. He is also the author of The Sustainability of Family Businesses in the United Arab Emirates.