Walid Saeed Al Awadhi has been re-elected as the Chairperson of the Africa and Middle East Regional Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) for the term 2026-2028. Al Awadhi currently leads the committee, which comprises 41 regulatory entities (29 voting members and 12 non-voting associate members) from Africa and the Middle East, serving as a crucial platform for enhancing regulatory cooperation and coordination across the region.
The unanimous and uncontested re-election of Walid Al Awadhi underscores the trust in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its regulatory leadership, highlighting international appreciation for its efforts in developing advanced financial markets that are transparent, flexible, and adaptive to change. During his tenure, the committee has focused on strengthening supervisory frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and expanding cross-border regulatory collaboration.
Confidence
Mohammed Ali Al Shorfa, Chair of the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority, stated, “The unanimous re-election of Walid Saeed Al Awadhi as Chair of the Africa and Middle East Regional Committee affirms the confidence of regional and international regulators in his leadership and the advanced regulatory framework of the UAE. This achievement comes amid increasing challenges facing the region while the UAE continues to maintain the stability and efficiency of its markets. This appointment reinforces the pivotal role played by our country in fostering cooperation, coordination, and building trust in the markets at a regional level.”
This decision comes at a time when regional and international challenges are on the rise, further emphasizing the confidence that international regulatory bodies have in the UAE’s ability to uphold market stability and leadership. It solidifies the UAE’s position as a key partner in fostering regulatory collaboration and developing capital markets, while contributing actively to shaping future directions for the global financial regulatory landscape.
The re-election of Walid Saeed Al Awadhi highlights his active role within IOSCO and its regional committee, in addition to his leadership in positioning the UAE as a leading global financial hub. As the committee’s Chair, he will continue to represent it on the board of IOSCO, ensuring the perspectives of African and Middle Eastern nations are conveyed and contributing to the formulation of international regulatory standards and policies.
Founded in 1983, IOSCO is the international body responsible for setting standards for securities market regulation, comprising over 200 members that oversee more than 95% of global financial markets. In this context, the chairmanship of the regional committee holds strategic significance in supporting the organization’s mission to protect investors, enhance market integrity, and ensure financial stability.
Looking ahead, amid geopolitical changes and market developments, the committee will continue to launch new initiatives that support capital market growth and enhance their capacity to manage emerging risks, while also promoting innovation in digital assets and market structures. Additionally, it will contribute to the development of markets in emerging economies, enhance investor education programs, and adopt advanced approaches in sustainable finance and capacity building within member states.