The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the World Bank Group have signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in the areas of financial inclusion, financial literacy, financial consumer protection, and financial dispute resolution.
The signing was witnessed by HE Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, and Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Group, during a meeting held at the CBUAE headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
Senior officials from both sides attended the meeting, where they reviewed priority areas of joint work related to financial sector development and consumer protection.
Under the agreement, both institutions will work together on initiatives related to financial literacy and financial inclusion, with a focus on improving public awareness and access to financial services.
The cooperation will also include the development of measures on digital fraud prevention, enhancement of banking and insurance dispute resolution mechanisms, and support for related regulatory and institutional frameworks.
The discussions also covered preparations for the second edition of the Regional Summit on Financial Health and Inclusion, which is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi in September 2026 and will be organized by the CBUAE.
The agreement was signed by HE Fatma Abdulla Al Jabri, Assistant Governor for Financial Crime, Market Conduct, and Consumer Protection at the CBUAE, and Mr. Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan at the World Bank Group.
HE Fatma Abdulla Al Jabri stated that the agreement reflects the CBUAE’s continued focus on advancing financial inclusion and financial literacy and strengthening consumer protection as key components of the financial system.
Al Jabri noted that the CBUAE, in cooperation with public and private sector entities, is working on the development of the National Financial Literacy Strategy to improve financial awareness among individuals and businesses and support a more inclusive financial environment.
Mr. Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan at the World Bank Group, remarked that the agreement reflects the ongoing partnership between the World Bank Group and the CBUAE and their shared objective of strengthening the UAE’s position in financial inclusion and financial health.
