Abu Dhabi:The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is hosting the MENA Leaders' Summit on Financial Health under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The event is taking place in partnership with various international organizations, including the World Bank and the Arab Monetary Fund, on September 30 and October 1, 2026, in Abu Dhabi.
According to Wam, the Summit aims to shift the regional focus from merely increasing the number of financial accounts and transactions to enhancing the tangible impact on financial health. This includes improving individuals' ability to manage financial shocks, save long-term, borrow responsibly, and make informed financial decisions.
The Summit also seeks to strengthen the evidence base regarding the impact of regulatory frameworks and digital public infrastructure on financial health outcomes. It aims to develop a shared approach to measuring financial health from a supervisory perspective. Attendees include central bank governors, international financial authorities, CEOs, and experts from various sectors.
The first day of the Summit, titled 'From Inclusion to Financial Health: Building the Foundations', features discussions on financial literacy, digital infrastructure, and women's financial health. The second day, 'Financial Health in Action', focuses on financial sector innovation, behavioral science, and addressing risks such as fraud and over-indebtedness.
Notable announcements from the first day include the launch of the National Financial Literacy Strategy 2027-2031, the CBUAE joining the CGAP Council of Governors, and a Letter of Intent with the UNCDF to enhance financial health and infrastructure governance. The presentation of a financial health measurement framework and new findings on AI in financial services were also highlighted.
The second day will see the launch of the Financial Health Innovation Challenge to improve financial health solutions in the UAE. The Arab Monetary Fund's Financial Inclusion Task Force will hold its 31st meeting concurrently. Additionally, the UAE has joined the Group of Friends for Financial Health at the United Nations, reinforcing its commitment to international financial health efforts.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, emphasized the UAE's vision to build an inclusive and responsible financial sector. He highlighted the importance of financial health for the national economy's resilience and competitiveness and expressed a commitment to sharing the UAE's experiences and learning from global peers.