The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy highlighted a target to increase the number of individual accounting and auditing practitioners to 1,500 within five years, alongside plans to use artificial intelligence in supervision and inspections. Speaking at the Chief Audit Executives Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi, Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri reported that the country has more than 1,100 licensed accountants. He also reviewed the previously issued law governing the accounting and auditing profession as part of the development of its legislative and regulatory framework. The conference focused on independent internal audit and governance, particularly controls over artificial intelligence. The UAE is developing a national framework aimed at moving half of government sectors and services to agentic AI systems within two years. As these systems assume responsibility for decisions previously made by people, the discussions emphasized the need for independent assurance over those decisions, effective controls and accountability. The UAE Internal Auditors Association, which organized the conference, also launched a Certified Executive Leadership Program to prepare current and future chief audit executives for leadership roles at board level.
United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy outlines target of 1,500 accounting and auditing practitioners within five years
At the Chief Audit Executives Conference 2026, United Arab Emirates Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri outlined the ministry's target to reach 1,500 individual accounting and auditing practitioners within five years and develop supervision using artificial intelligence. The country currently has more than 1,100 licensed accountants. Conference discussions emphasized independent assurance, controls and accountability as the UAE develops a framework to move half of government sectors and services to agentic AI systems within two years.