His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates board meeting in Abu Dhabi. The meeting took place at Qasr Al Watan on 16 December 2025. Senior leadership and board members attended. The session focused on regulation, digital infrastructure, Emiratisation, and global financial connectivity. These priorities reflect the UAE’s ambition to lead as a modern financial hub.Advancing Financial Stability and Digital TransformationReviewing 2025 Achievements and Core ProjectsStrong Progress in Emiratisation GoalsExpanding Global Financial ConnectivityNew Regulations to Protect Markets and Consumers Advancing Financial Stability and Digital Transformation Sheikh Mansour praised the Central Bank’s performance during 2025. He highlighted its role in strengthening the UAE’s financial position worldwide. He stressed steady progress under the guidance of national leadership. The Central Bank continues to: Enhance financial stability across sectors Improve system efficiency and resilience Support digital transformation initiatives Build a secure and innovative financial environment These efforts strengthen economic competitiveness. They also support sustainable long term growth. Reviewing 2025 Achievements and Core Projects The Board reviewed major achievements delivered during the year. Members assessed progress across banking operations and support services. The discussion focused on key transformation programs. Major projects reviewed included: The International Central Securities Depository initiative The Real Time Gross Settlement system Core upgrades to banking operations The Board also approved the Central Bank’s estimated budget for 2026. This approval ensures continued investment in infrastructure and regulatory excellence. Strong Progress in Emiratisation Goals The Board reviewed updates on Emiratisation within the banking, financial, and insurance sectors. It examined results from the Ithraa Emiratisation Programme covering 2023 to 2026. Key outcomes included: Achievement of 95 percent of programme targets Recruitment of 9,754 UAE nationals Strong participation across financial institutions These results show steady progress. They reinforce national talent development as a core policy priority. Expanding Global Financial Connectivity The Board reviewed developments related to the Jisr platform for central bank digital currencies. Several central banks have now joined the platform. The system links with the UAE’s Instant Payment Interface and the Jaywan domestic card scheme. This expansion aims to: Enable faster cross border payments Reduce transaction costs Deliver instant settlement between countries The Central Bank plans to onboard more central banks in 2026. This move strengthens the UAE’s role in global payment networks. New Regulations to Protect Markets and Consumers The Board approved the issuance of new financial and insurance regulations. These rules support market efficiency and consumer protection. Approved regulations include: Insurance Licensing Regulation Insurance Brokers Regulation Telemarketing Regulation These measures align with Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2024. They modernize oversight and improve trust across financial markets. The Board also reviewed governance systems, international cooperation efforts, and subsidiary plans. Members examined departmental reports and issued decisions to support the next phase of growth. The meeting reinforced a clear direction. The UAE continues to build a strong, connected, and future ready financial system.