emirates7 - Waleed Al Awadhi, CEO of the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), announced that the authority is currently developing four key regulatory projects aimed at boosting the competitiveness of financial markets, enhancing transparency, and ensuring investor protection.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Awadhi explained that one of the upcoming regulations targets the oversight of carbon credit trading platforms. This initiative supports the UAE’s broader strategy for achieving carbon neutrality. The regulation will define licensing and operational standards for these platforms, while operators will retain responsibility for setting their own operational guidelines.
Another project nearing completion is a draft regulation for retail Sukuk. This regulation is intended to democratise access to bonds and Sukuk markets by introducing fractional investment opportunities. The goal is to expand participation among retail investors while safeguarding their interests through a robust regulatory structure—ultimately enhancing market liquidity and financial inclusion.
Al Awadhi also highlighted ongoing legislative amendments to the capital market law and financial regulations, which are designed to broaden the SCA’s authority. These changes will enable the implementation of advanced oversight tools and allow the authority to effectively respond to evolving financial activities and emerging risks.
A further regulation under review involves the restructuring of public joint stock companies. It aims to provide companies with greater flexibility in organisational models and improve operational performance.
Additionally, the SCA’s Board of Directors has recently approved a comprehensive framework for recognising and valuing goodwill in public joint stock companies. This framework treats goodwill as an intangible asset that reflects brand strength and corporate reputation.
Al Awadhi affirmed that this suite of legislative initiatives is designed to improve market efficiency, attract a wider investor base, and diversify the range of financial products available—solidifying the UAE’s status as a premier global financial hub grounded in reliability, innovation, and sustainable growth.
He also pointed to the SCA’s strides in advancing sustainable finance, including the launch of a detailed regulatory framework for green bonds, green Sukuk, and sustainability-linked financial instruments. These regulations adhere to international standards and require issuers to allocate proceeds to environmentally sustainable initiatives.
To encourage further adoption, the SCA has extended a waiver on registration fees for companies listing green bonds and Sukuk. In 2025, the value of registered listings reached AED5.5 billion. Since the new framework’s implementation, the SCA has approved 11 green bond and Sukuk issuances valued at approximately AED24.6 billion. Additionally, the total value of local and international sustainability-linked issuances has hit US$8.7 billion, with US$6.7 billion listed across local and global markets.
Al Awadhi reiterated that these initiatives are part of the SCA’s broader strategy to boost market performance, broaden access, and provide a wide array of investment options tailored to different investor needs. He underlined the authority’s continued commitment to balancing innovation with financial stability and investor protection—further reinforcing the UAE’s role as a central player in global financial markets.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Awadhi explained that one of the upcoming regulations targets the oversight of carbon credit trading platforms. This initiative supports the UAE’s broader strategy for achieving carbon neutrality. The regulation will define licensing and operational standards for these platforms, while operators will retain responsibility for setting their own operational guidelines.
Another project nearing completion is a draft regulation for retail Sukuk. This regulation is intended to democratise access to bonds and Sukuk markets by introducing fractional investment opportunities. The goal is to expand participation among retail investors while safeguarding their interests through a robust regulatory structure—ultimately enhancing market liquidity and financial inclusion.
Al Awadhi also highlighted ongoing legislative amendments to the capital market law and financial regulations, which are designed to broaden the SCA’s authority. These changes will enable the implementation of advanced oversight tools and allow the authority to effectively respond to evolving financial activities and emerging risks.
A further regulation under review involves the restructuring of public joint stock companies. It aims to provide companies with greater flexibility in organisational models and improve operational performance.
Additionally, the SCA’s Board of Directors has recently approved a comprehensive framework for recognising and valuing goodwill in public joint stock companies. This framework treats goodwill as an intangible asset that reflects brand strength and corporate reputation.
Al Awadhi affirmed that this suite of legislative initiatives is designed to improve market efficiency, attract a wider investor base, and diversify the range of financial products available—solidifying the UAE’s status as a premier global financial hub grounded in reliability, innovation, and sustainable growth.
He also pointed to the SCA’s strides in advancing sustainable finance, including the launch of a detailed regulatory framework for green bonds, green Sukuk, and sustainability-linked financial instruments. These regulations adhere to international standards and require issuers to allocate proceeds to environmentally sustainable initiatives.
To encourage further adoption, the SCA has extended a waiver on registration fees for companies listing green bonds and Sukuk. In 2025, the value of registered listings reached AED5.5 billion. Since the new framework’s implementation, the SCA has approved 11 green bond and Sukuk issuances valued at approximately AED24.6 billion. Additionally, the total value of local and international sustainability-linked issuances has hit US$8.7 billion, with US$6.7 billion listed across local and global markets.
Al Awadhi reiterated that these initiatives are part of the SCA’s broader strategy to boost market performance, broaden access, and provide a wide array of investment options tailored to different investor needs. He underlined the authority’s continued commitment to balancing innovation with financial stability and investor protection—further reinforcing the UAE’s role as a central player in global financial markets.