DUBAI: Under the patronage of the Ministry of Finance and in collaboration with the Government of Sharjah, the Arab Administrative Development Organisation (ARADO) of the League of Arab States convened the ‘Arab Financial Forum in the UAE – Sharjah Award for Public Finance: Excellence and Government Financial Leadership’ in Dubai. This event aims to foster the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices in public finance among Arab nations, supporting their capabilities to address contemporary financial challenges.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum gathered elite experts and officials to explore the latest trends in public finance and showcase government success stories in digital financial transformation. The event reinforced collaborative efforts across the Arab world to enhance government financial performance. Key figures in attendance included Waleed Ibrahim Al Sayegh, Director General of the Sharjah Finance Department; Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Secretary-General of the Sharj
ah Public Finance Award; and Mariam Mohamed Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Financial Management Sector at the Ministry of Finance, among others.
Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, highlighted the importance of fostering Arab collaboration in public finance amidst global economic challenges. He emphasized that the forum serves as an ideal platform for exchanging knowledge, expertise, and best practices across Arab nations. He noted the UAE’s commitment to digital transformation in public finance through the adoption of an accrual accounting system, which has significantly enhanced financial performance.
Dr. Nasser Al Hatlan Al Qahtani, Director General of ARADO, praised the role of the Arab Finance Forum in enhancing cooperation in financial management across Arab countries. He acknowledged the UAE’s leadership in supporting initiatives that advance financial and administrative development in the region. Dr. Al Qahtani emphasized that the Sharjah Award for Public Finance
encourages innovation and inspires institutions to achieve excellence in financial management.
Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi expressed his satisfaction with the forum’s role in showcasing government success stories in digital transformation. He stated that the Sharjah Award for Public Finance motivates governmental bodies to achieve the highest standards of excellence in public finance, aligning with sustainable development goals.
The forum’s agenda included sessions highlighting public finance success stories from federal, Dubai, and Sharjah governments, along with a session on the UAE’s journey in accrual accounting transformation, presented by Sheikha Rashid Al Kaabi from the Ministry of Finance. Huda Hassan Al Yasi, Director of the Financial System Department at the Sharjah Finance Department, shared insights on Sharjah’s digital transformation in revenue collection.