UAE Central Bank Wins Global Risk Manager Award 2026

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has been awarded ‘Risk Manager of the Year 2026’ at the prestigious Central Banking Awards. The award is presented by the UK-based Central Banking Publications and recognises central banks that demonstrate outstanding excellence and adopt world-class practices in risk management.

This international recognition highlights the CBUAE’s leadership in transforming traditional risk management systems into a forward-looking, technology-driven framework powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The central bank has combined advanced AI capabilities with a strong Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) structure to build a proactive system that monitors and manages risks across its entire operational value chain.

One of the major achievements behind this award is the development and deployment of an in-house AI Risk Agent. This innovative system significantly reduces the time needed for manual risk identification and helps detect “compound risks” at early stages of operational processes. As a result, the bank can respond faster to potential threats and maintain higher levels of operational stability.

These technological advancements are now embedded in the CBUAE’s five-year strategic plan, guided by the principle of “Resilience by Design.” The strategy aims to strengthen risk management as a core foundation of the bank’s operations, ensuring long-term financial stability and institutional resilience.

The judging panel of the Central Banking Awards praised the CBUAE for its comprehensive and unified approach to risk management. According to the committee, while many institutions focus on gradual improvements, the UAE central bank has adopted a more transformative model, creating a single integrated system that provides a complete view of risks across the organisation and already delivers measurable results.

The award will be officially presented during the Central Banking meetings in London in June 2026.

Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, said the achievement reflects the strong support of the UAE leadership and the vision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CBUAE.

He stated that the central bank has built an advanced regulatory ecosystem that combines digital innovation with strong governance frameworks. By integrating AI into operational risk management, the CBUAE has enhanced its ability to anticipate emerging risks and adapt to global financial changes.

Balama added that the central bank not only aims to maintain the highest international regulatory standards, but also seeks to shape the future of global financial regulation, helping to strengthen monetary and financial stability worldwide.