Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi Reappointed as Chair of AMERC in IOSCO, Strengthening UAE’s Global Financial Leadership
Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Capital Market Authority (CMA), has been reappointed as Chair of the Africa and Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) for the 2026–2028 term. This reappointment, which was uncontested and unanimous, underscores the high level of international trust placed in both Al Awadhi and the UAE, highlighting the country’s consistent commitment to transparent, resilient, and forward-looking financial markets.
AMERC, currently chaired by Al Awadhi, brings together 41 regulatory authorities—comprising 29 voting members and 12 associate non-voting members—from across Africa and the Middle East. The Committee acts as a vital platform for regional collaboration, focusing on strengthening supervisory frameworks and enhancing cross-border regulatory cooperation.
Under Al Awadhi’s leadership, AMERC has advanced key priorities, including reinforcing supervisory and enforcement frameworks and promoting comprehensive regulatory cooperation across borders. The Committee’s renewed mandate comes at a time of increasing challenges at both regional and international levels, further solidifying the confidence of global regulators in the UAE’s ability to provide both continuity and leadership. This positions the UAE as a trusted anchor for regulatory cooperation and capital market development and as an active contributor to shaping the future landscape of global financial regulation.
Al Awadhi’s reappointment reflects his proactive role within IOSCO and AMERC, as well as his vision in enhancing the UAE’s status as a globally recognized financial hub. As Chair, he will continue to represent AMERC on the IOSCO Board, ensuring that the perspectives of Africa and the Middle East are actively represented in the formation of global regulatory standards and policy directions.
Founded in 1983, IOSCO is the global standard setter for securities regulation, comprising more than 200 members and overseeing over 95 percent of the world’s financial markets. Within this framework, the leadership of AMERC is strategically significant for advancing IOSCO’s core mission of investor protection, market integrity, and financial stability.
In commenting on Al Awadhi’s reappointment, Mohamed Al Shorafa, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors, stated: “The uncontested reappointment of Waleed Al Awadhi as Chair of AMERC reflects the confidence of regional and international regulators in his leadership and in the UAE’s regulatory framework. It comes at a time when the region is facing heightened tensions and direct challenges, yet the UAE continues to demonstrate resilience, continuity, and the ability to uphold stable and well-functioning capital markets. This mandate reflects the trust placed in the UAE to play a leading role in strengthening coordination and maintaining market confidence across the Middle East and Africa.”
Looking ahead, as geopolitical and market dynamics continue to evolve, AMERC will spearhead new initiatives to reinvigorate capital markets and respond to emerging risks, while fostering innovation across areas such as digital assets and evolving market structures. The Committee will also drive market development within emerging economies, spearhead investor education efforts, and introduce forward-looking approaches to sustainable finance and capacity building across its member jurisdictions.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
