UAE to host High-Level OECD Budget Officials Meeting for MENA Region

emirates7 - The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Finance, will host the annual meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Middle East and North Africa Senior Budget Officials (MENA SBO) in Abu Dhabi from November 18th to 19th. This event aims to enhance cooperation and facilitate knowledge exchange among regional leaders on public financial management and budgeting. Senior budget officials and managers from across the MENA region are expected to attend.

The meeting will feature discussions on key topics such as recent advancements in public budget preparation, government spending trends, and strategies for improving spending efficiency through modern practices. Participants will also explore innovative financing mechanisms to promote public-private partnerships. Additionally, the sessions will focus on initiatives to improve public financial literacy and the importance of effective financial management. One of the highlights will be exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence in budget preparation and public spending.

Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the UAE’s role as a global hub for hosting key international events related to financial and economic management. He pointed out that this annual gathering offers a valuable platform for strengthening regional collaboration and sharing strategies for efficiently and transparently managing public financial resources, supporting the region’s aspirations for sustainable economic growth.

AlKhoori further stressed that leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and digitization, is crucial to improving public spending efficiency and transparency in budget management, which are essential for advancing shared development goals across the region. Last year, the UAE also hosted the OECD’s annual meeting for MENA senior budget officials in Dubai, where discussions focused on budget preparation, public spending, green budgeting, and public finance reforms in member countries.