Grand Jury Appointed for Abu Dhabi Government Excellence Awards

The Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance (ADAEP) has unveiled its grand jury members for this award cycle, bolstering the programme's status as a touchstone for exemplary governance. This panel comprises esteemed leaders from both Abu Dhabi and the international community, spanning the public and private domains.

This award is part of a broader initiative aimed at elevating government performance and fostering collaboration among different organizations. It aligns with the Abu Dhabi Government Performance and Excellence Model, which focuses on delivering sustainable public benefits, enhancing quality of life, and establishing a governance system prepared for future challenges.

The evaluation process is rigorous, involving over 90 local and global specialists who will examine 37 government agencies and 103 initiatives across various sectors. Notably, for the first time, AI tools have been incorporated into the evaluation, improving objectivity, insights, and data-driven choices. The final selection of winners will be undertaken by the grand jury.

Led by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC's Managing Director, the jury also features notable figures like Saif Saeed Ghobash, Ala’a Eraiqat, Mariana Mazzucato, and Andreas Jacobs.

This diverse group blends experience in governance, innovation, academia, and business, providing a global viewpoint on performance, public benefit, and institutional transformation.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber emphasized the importance of excellence in Abu Dhabi’s strategic outlook, asserting that the award supports the emirate’s aim to establish itself as the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. He underscored technology's role in enhancing services, bolstering decision-making, and manifesting tangible public benefits.

Saif Saeed Ghobash remarked that the jury represents a well-rounded mixture of leadership experience and global benchmarking proficiency, guaranteeing that the winners embody innovation, adaptability, and measurable improvements in quality of life.

Additionally, Mariana Mazzucato commended Abu Dhabi's initiative, viewing it as a global benchmark for prioritizing public value. She highlighted the award’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term societal outcomes, transcending conventional performance metrics.

The winners of the 2026 award cycle will be announced in April 2026, aiming to set new benchmarks for excellence in governmental performance and innovation.