This high-trust plenary session will bring together supervisory authorities, banking sector leadership, and industry representatives to strengthen alignment on governance and assurance expectations across the UAE financial sector. The discussion will focus on:

· Key supervisory priorities for 2026 and what “maturity” looks like in governance and control frameworks

· How banks are strengthening governance, resilience, and compliance readiness

· The role of UBF in supporting sector-wide alignment and best-practice adoption

· How assurance functions (internal audit, risk, and compliance) can better support execution, evidence, and accountability

Session Outcome:

Participants will gain a clear and practical view of “what good looks like” for governance, resilience, and assurance preparedness across the UAE financial sector in 2026.

We would be truly honored by your participation and believe your perspective would add significant value to this important dialogue.

Thank you once again for your time, leadership, and continued support. I look forward to your kind confirmation and would be happy to share any additional details you may require.

Jamal Saleh
Director General, UAE Banks Federation

Jamal Saleh

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Director General, UAE Banks Federation

Jamal Saleh joined UBF (UAE Banks Federation) as Director General as of 1st January 2019. Prior to joining UBF, his last role in banking was Head of Group Credit & Risk and Acting Regional Chief Risk Officer.Jamal spent 29 years in banking (Conventional and Islamic, in UAE and globally) in which he covered Private Banking, Asset Management, Credit, and Enterprise Risk Management (Credit, Market, Operational, Liquidity, and IT Risk, as well as ICAAP and Basel Accords). His first 10 years were in the USA in Private Banking, Asset Management, and Credit, and the last 19 were in the UAE in Corporate Banking, Credit, and Risk Management with three leading UAE banks. He has also been leading SWIFT User Group (UAE) as its chairperson since 2019.He served as PRMIA’s UAE Director General for 7 years and was concurrently Member on British University’s Advisory Board (Dubai).Jamal graduated summa cum laude from New Jersey, USA, in Finance and Banking and holds several banking certifications.He is a frequent quest on UAE and international business TV channels and newspapers as well as keynote speaker at a large number of regional and international forums in the UAE, MENA, Singapore, Europe, USA, etc., including several years at RiskMinds Geneva/Amsterdam and the Commonwealth of Nations at Westminster’s Central Hall in London.

Abdulqader Obaid Ali
Chairman of the board, UAE Internal Auditors Association

Abdulqader Obaid Ali

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Chairman of the board, UAE Internal Auditors Association

Previous Engagements and Experiences Chief of Internal Audit for Dubai World Group, the holding company that manages a number of world-class companies such as DP World-UAE Region, Economic Zones World (EZW), Dry Docks World, Nakheel and Istithmar, from August 2005 until October 2014. In this role, he reported initially to the Chairman and then directly to the Audit and Risk Committee of Dubai World on Audit & Fraud related issues covering Dubai World. During his tenure beside Auditing, as a Certified Fraud Examiner he led around 500 fraud cases dealing with different agencies, including special cases in USA and Interpol. Dubai Aluminum Company (DUBAL) heading various Departments (IT, Quality, Human Recourses). He was involved in Quality Assurance, developing and maintaining ISO standards and certifications and the application for the Dubai Quality Award and chairing the DUBAL Suggestion Program. While serving as the Manager of Organization Development, Abdulqader was responsible for Recruitment and Training and Succession Planning. Noteworthy Achievements Winner of the prestigious Kano Medal Excellence Catalyst for the year 2011 and Ideas UK Fellowship Award 2012. Founder of Ideas Arabia and assessor for Ideas America. First UAE National recipient of the prestigious Wilfred Thesiger Award, where master’s degree Scholarship was awarded to him. Member of the Jury for the Dubai Quality Award and SKEA, Shaikh Khalifa Excellent Award. Awarded the Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership (QIAL) in 2014, which falls under the umbrella of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Certified Fraud Examiner from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners in the USA and has a Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) from IIA Abdulqader holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology from Arizona State University, U.S.A. and a Master of Science in Technology Management from Stirling University, Scotland, U.K. He has successfully completed “The International General Management Program for Executive Development” conducted by International Institute of Management Development (IMD), Switzerland.

Bhaskar Sen
Chief Risk Officer, United Arab Bank

Bhaskar Sen

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Chief Risk Officer, United Arab Bank

As part of the banking and financial services industry with over two decades of multi-functional experience, Bhaskar Sen has been leading transformation initiatives across multiple domains of risk, credit and corporate strategy across several geographies including UAE, USA, Japan and India.In his current role as Chief Risk Officer at United Arab Bank, he has led institutionalization of prudent risk management strategy and framework that has resulted in a strong risk profile towards complementing a sustainable business growth. The transformational efforts have been manifested in the form of strengthened financials, strong market sentiment and credit rating upgrades. In his previous roles as Head of Risk Management at First Abu Dhabi Bank and First Gulf Bank, he had led design and institutionalization of comprehensive risk management framework across UAE and international locations. Earlier as part of consulting industry, he had led business process transformations and risk-consulting engagements for banks in USA & Japan. Before his stint in the consulting industry, as part of corporate strategy in a large media conglomerate, he had delivered strategic assignments for business expansion and launch of new brands. Driven by his motivation to create long term institutional value, his unwavering focus has been towards bringing together stakeholders from strategy, business and risk functions towards joint conceptualization and execution of pragmatic and enduring business solutions.

Sunil Edwards
Chief Internal Auditor, Bank of Sharjah

Sunil Edwards

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Chief Internal Auditor, Bank of Sharjah

At the helm of Bank of Sharjah's Internal Audit division, his leadership is anchored in over nine years of dedication to elevating global audit practices. His team's commitment to excellence has fortified the bank's defenses against financial and operational risks, yielding strategic insights that bolster the institution's objectives.

1. Almost everyone has an AI pilot. Very few scale. What’s the real reason—what’s getting in the way in regulated organizations?

2. When an AI-driven decision creates risk—customer harm, compliance breach, reputational damage—who is truly accountable: business, tech, risk, or ‘everyone and no one’?

3. Does governance act as an accelerator or a barrier for AI—and what is the minimum governance that enables speed and trust?

4. If asked by a regulator or auditors tomorrow, could organizations clearly defend their AI decisions and controls? Where do teams get caught out first—data lineage, approvals, monitoring, documentation?

5. Everyone talks about AI bias. In practice, what is the risk most underestimated —data quality, model drift, third-party exposure, or something else?

6. If you could give the audience one move—one priority that prevents wasted spend and reputational risk, one thing to build trustworthy AI —what would it be?

Jenitha John
Chief Strategic Officer, UAE Internal Auditors Association

Jenitha John

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Chief Strategic Officer, UAE Internal Auditors Association

Jenitha John is a globally recognised authority in governance, risk, and internal audit, with over 28 years of executive experience and extensive board-level leadership across financial services, energy, telecommunications, manufacturing, and the public sector. She is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Director, Certified Internal Auditor, and a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Senior Executive Programme. A former Global Chairman of the Institute of Internal Auditors—and the first African woman to hold this role—Jenitha has helped shape the evolution of the profession across 170+ countries. In parallel with her executive career, she has served for 18 years as a Non-Executive Director, including as an Audit & Risk Committee Chair, providing rigorous oversight of governance, risk, internal controls, and financial and non-financial reporting across both public and private sector entities. In her current role with the UAE Internal Auditors Association, Jenitha is focused on elevating internal audit maturity, advancing adoption of the Global Internal Audit Standards, and equipping the profession for emerging risks including ESG, digital transformation, cyber risk, and AI-enabled assurance. She is widely respected for positioning internal audit as a forward-looking strategic advisor that supports boards and executive leadership in navigating uncertainty and complexity.

Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi
PhD | Digital Transformation Strategist | AI Advocate, -

Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi

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PhD | Digital Transformation Strategist | AI Advocate, -

PhD | Digital Transformation Strategist | AI Advocate | Keynote SpeakerDr. Jassim Al Awadhi is an expert and visionary leader in Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence strategy and implementation, with over two decades of experience shaping strategic technology agendas across the telecommunications, government, financial and innovation sectors in the UAE. Holding a PhD and a strong academic foundation, Dr. Al Awadhi brings a unique blend of scholarly insight and practical leadership to the forefront of digital innovation.Throughout his career, he has led transformative initiatives that redefined service delivery models, orchestrated large-scale digital ecosystem deployments, and championed AI integration strategies across critical industries. His work bridges the gap between technological advancements, organization readiness strategy, and human-centric design, enabling sustainable, scalable, and inclusive growth while fostering cross-sectoral collaboration.Dr. Al Awadhi is a keynote speaker and thought leader, regularly invited to address international conferences on topics ranging from smart government and future foresight to education technology, organization readiness for digital transformation, and AI implementation strategy and framework. His engagements span high-profile platforms focused on AI and cognitive technologies, national AI strategies, HR innovation, fintech, and the modernization of customer experiences and journeys in public and private services.Passionate about lifelong learning and responsible innovation, Dr. Al Awadhi is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders by fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government to build future-ready, tech-savvy societies.

Islamic Financial Institutions operate in an environment shaped by rising regulatory expectations, rapid innovation, and increasingly interconnected Shari’ah non‑compliance risks. In this context, Shari’ah Governance and Assurance has become a strategic imperative, essential not only for compliance but for institutional resilience, market credibility, and stakeholder trust.

This session explores how Shari’ah Governance frameworks within Islamic Financial Institutions are evolving to meet these demands, and why Boards, Audit Committees, and Shari’ah Committees are assuming more strategic, forward‑looking roles in guiding institutions through complexity and change.

It also examines how Internal Shari’ah Audit and Shari’ah Control functions within IFIs are expanding their mandates through continuous monitoring, structured Shari’ah compliance reviews, and strengthened independent assurance. Drawing on leading practices and cross‑jurisdictional developments, the session highlights how integrated Shari’ah Governance and Assurance is emerging as a critical driver of institutional integrity, regulatory confidence, and sustained stakeholder trust across the Islamic financial ecosystem.

Mubeen Zafar
Head of Internal Shari’ah Audit, Mashreq

Mubeen Zafar

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Head of Internal Shari’ah Audit, Mashreq

Mr. Mubeen Zafar is a seasoned leader in Islamic banking & Finance, Shari’ah Governance, and Assurance, with over 35 years of experience across audit, risk, compliance, and governance. He currently serves as Head of Internal Shari’ah Audit at Mashreq, where he established a risk based Shari’ah audit function that achieved the UAE’s first IIA Conformance for an Internal Shari’ah Audit function, setting an industry benchmark. He also serves as Vice Chairperson of the Internal Shari’ah Audit Committee at the UAE Banks Federation, contributing to the development of industry wide Shari’ah Audit best practices. He continues to advance Shari’ah Governance and Assurance across, supported by deep expertise in risk based audit, governance frameworks, digital and emerging technology assurance, and regulatory engagement with the Central Bank and Higher Shari’ah Authority.

The UAE has positioned artificial intelligence at the heart of its national agenda, driving digital leadership and innovation across every sector. Within this environment, governance and assurance functions have a unique opportunity and responsibility to evolve.

This session presents a real implementation of infusing AI into an Internal Audit function. Not as a concept, but as a working reality. Moving beyond theory and demos, the keynote focuses on how AI was built internally, embedded into day-to-day audit work, and what practically changed as a result.

Delivered from Osama's perspective as a Chief Internal Audit Officer, the session explores the decisions made, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned while adopting AI responsibly. It addresses where AI delivered tangible value, where it fell short, and how the role of auditors evolved through the journey.

Osama Abbas
Group Chief Internal Audit Officer, Botim

Osama Abbas

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Group Chief Internal Audit Officer, Botim

Osama Abbas is the Group Chief Internal Audit Officer at Astratech Group, a UAE-based fintech and communication leader building financial tools for users and businesses through botim, botim Money, and Quantix, Where he leads the Internal Audit service with a focus on technology, cybersecurity, and financial risk.A hands-on audit leader with over 13 years of experience across internal and external audit, Osama has a strong track record in modernizing audit practices through technology, data, and artificial intelligence. His approach centers on the responsible and practical use of AI to enhance audit quality, insight, and decision-making, strengthening governance while enabling innovation.