Sharjah Award for Public Finance Opens Third Arab Financial Forum in Tangier
<p>The <strong>third edition of the Arab Financial Forum for the Sharjah Award for Public Finance</strong> opened in Tangier, Morocco, on October 8, 2025, marking another milestone in the region’s commitment to advancing financial governance and transparency across Arab nations.</p><p>Organised by the <strong>Sharjah Finance Department (SFD)</strong> in collaboration with the <strong>Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO)</strong>, the event was held under the theme <i>“Distinguished Experiences in Developing Public Finance.”</i> The forum aims to serve as a key regional platform for exchanging expertise, strengthening institutional capacities, and promoting global best practices in public financial management.</p><h4><strong>Forum unites Arab leaders on financial reform</strong></h4><p>The opening ceremony saw the participation of high-ranking officials, ministers, and decision-makers from across the Arab world. Speeches were delivered on behalf of <strong>Dr. Amal El Falah El Saghrouchni</strong>, Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, and <strong>H.E. Nadia Fettah Alaoui</strong>, Minister of Economy and Finance of Morocco.</p><p>In his keynote address, <strong>Dr. Nasser Al Hatlan Al Qahtani</strong>, Director-General of ARADO, emphasized that the forum’s third edition brings together representatives from <strong>13 Arab countries</strong>, making it a vital event for fostering intergovernmental dialogue and cooperation.</p><blockquote><p>“The Arab Financial Forum provides a strategic opportunity to showcase pioneering national experiences in financial management and governance,” said Dr. Al Qahtani. “It helps policymakers and experts develop new frameworks for financial reform, transparency, and sustainability.”</p></blockquote><p>He noted that such collaborations are essential for Arab countries striving to modernize their financial systems in response to global economic challenges.</p><h4><strong>Sharjah’s leadership in financial governance</strong></h4><p>Representing the <strong>Sharjah Award for Public Finance</strong>, <strong>Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi</strong>, Secretary-General of the award, highlighted that <strong>public finance plays a central role in ensuring societal stability and sustainable development</strong>.</p><p>He underlined that the vision of <strong>Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi</strong>, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, continues to guide these initiatives. His leadership, Sheikh Rashid said, has been instrumental in strengthening Arab cooperation and embedding principles of transparency and efficiency in public administration.</p><blockquote><p>“These forums act as strategic platforms for unifying Arab visions and designing practical solutions to enhance the efficiency of financial systems,” Sheikh Rashid noted. “They are essential for addressing emerging challenges in today’s rapidly changing economic environment.”</p></blockquote><p>He added that the discussions, workshops, and case studies presented during the forum will help shape a <strong>shared Arab roadmap</strong> toward more effective, transparent, and results-driven public finance systems.</p><h4><strong>Sharjah’s performance-based budgeting showcased</strong></h4><p>A key highlight of the event was a presentation by <strong>H.E. Waleed Al Sayegh</strong>, Director-General of the <strong>Sharjah Finance Department (SFD)</strong>, who shared Sharjah’s pioneering journey in implementing <strong>performance-based budgeting</strong> — a model that links financial planning directly to measurable outcomes.</p><p>Al Sayegh explained that this approach has significantly improved <strong>resource allocation, efficiency, and accountability</strong> within the Sharjah Government.</p><blockquote><p>“Performance-based budgeting represents a qualitative leap in how budgets are prepared and managed,” he said. “It ensures that every dirham spent is aligned with clear objectives and measurable results.”</p></blockquote><p>He added that this transformation reflects Sharjah’s long-term strategy of promoting financial sustainability and innovation while aligning government spending with social and economic development goals.</p><h4><strong>Key elements for success</strong></h4><p>Al Sayegh also detailed the fundamental requirements for implementing performance-based budgeting successfully. These include:</p><p>Strong political commitment at all levels of government.</p><p>A well-defined framework linking strategy with outcomes.</p><p>Continuous institutional capacity building.</p><p>Benchmarking mechanisms to assess performance.</p><p>Ongoing training programs for finance professionals.</p><p>He further noted the importance of developing a <strong>customized system</strong> that collects and analyses data from each government entity, allowing for tailored financial strategies that align with specific institutional objectives.</p><blockquote><p>“True reform requires both leadership vision and operational agility,” Al Sayegh added. “Sharjah’s experience proves that with the right governance tools, Arab economies can adopt world-class financial models that prioritize efficiency, transparency, and innovation.”</p></blockquote><h4><strong>Building an Arab roadmap for fiscal excellence</strong></h4><p>As discussions continued, delegates exchanged best practices from across the Arab world, including innovations in fiscal reform, automation of public finance systems, and strategies for integrating sustainability into budgeting.</p><p>The forum reaffirmed the commitment of participating countries to advance financial governance in line with <strong>global standards</strong>, emphasizing that <strong>collaboration, transparency, and technology</strong> are the key drivers of the future of public finance.</p><p>By the end of the event, the <strong>Sharjah Award for Public Finance</strong> had once again underscored its role as a regional benchmark for excellence — bridging knowledge, promoting innovation, and fostering unity in the Arab financial community.</p>