The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has been named ‘Risk Manager of the Year 2026’ at the Central Banking Awards, highlighting its leadership in operational risk management and adoption of advanced technologies.
The award, presented by the UK-based Central Banking publication, recognises central banks that demonstrate exceptional risk oversight and world-class methodological practices. The CBUAE was commended for transforming traditional risk assessment into a forward-looking, AI-enabled system.
Central to this transformation is the bank’s in-house AI Risk Agent, which reduces manual risk identification and allows early detection of complex, compound risks across critical processes. These capabilities are now embedded within the CBUAE’s five-year strategy under the principle of ‘Resilience by Design,’ reinforcing risk management as a core pillar of the bank’s operations.
The awards committee described the CBUAE’s approach as a unified and comprehensive model, noting that its integrated view of risk across the organisation delivers measurable results and serves as an inspiring example for global peers. The award will be formally presented during the Central Banking meetings in London in June 2026.
Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama emphasised the role of leadership and vision in the achievement, linking it to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He said the bank’s regulatory ecosystem combines digital innovation with robust methodologies, positioning the CBUAE not only to uphold international standards but also to shape the future of global regulatory practices.
The recognition cements the CBUAE’s reputation as a global benchmark in financial and regulatory excellence, demonstrating how artificial intelligence and strategic governance can advance proactive supervision and monetary stability in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
