09 January 2023

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority launches “ADAA Smart”, a new application for its initiatives and platforms

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 09 January 2023: Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) has launched its new smart app that offers several features, most notably “Wajib” Platform, which allows individuals to report any financial or administrative misconduct that may be caused to public funds and resources not only to investigate, but also to prevent them from happening which encourage the sense of shared responsibility and promote a culture of awareness in preserving public resources in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

ADAA develops its digital platforms based on the highest global quality and information security standards as well as utilizing the latest artificial intelligence technologies and optimal use of data while maintaining user-confidentiality and privacy aiming at promoting the value of accountability along with raising the integrity awareness of government employees and individuals, thereby enhancing the emirate's reputation and boosting trust in its financial and economic systems.

The ADAA Smart app can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple Store, allowing all community members to access ADAA’s initiatives and platforms with convenience and ease such as Wajib Platform, the Statutory Auditors’, as well as the financial disclosure platform for senior government employees.

Commenting on the launch, an ADAA spokesperson said that the digital transformation process reflects the Authority’s vision and mandate to safeguard public funds, and that the creation of the ADAA Smart app is in line with the main themes of Abu Dhabi's digitalization agenda: government services, how to utilize and benefit from digital channels, government solutions that support joint digital transformation initiatives between government entities in Abu Dhabi, utilizing artificial intelligence systems, and enhancing the emirate's proactive role across many areas, including achieving high levels of integrity and transparency.

ADAA's call on all Abu Dhabi government employees and members of the community to download the application and explore ADAA's initiatives and platforms that are in line with its strategy to optimize and sustain public resources.

8 Dececmeber 2022

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority becomes member of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA)

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 8 Dec, 2022: The Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority announced today that it has joined the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), an independent and non-political anti-corruption organisation that drives the proper implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and collaborates with institutions responsible for investigation, prosecution and prevention of corruption around the world.

The move falls under ADAA’s continuous efforts in building local, regional and international strategic relationships and enhancing cooperation with entities who share ADAA’s mandate of promoting awareness of the principles of integrity in governance, transparency, accountability and professional ethics.

Commenting on the announcement, an ADAA official representative said: “Our membership in IAACA represents a big step in ADAA’s strategic plans to enhance its commitment to the noble values of integrity, accountability and transparency. By working together with our global partners, sharing experiences and innovations in the field, building communication bridges between relevant parties and cooperating with entities to join forces, we strengthen our duty to actively contribute towards eradicating corruption by implementing the best practices and developing initiatives to reach the common objectives for a world without corruption.”

ADAA’s spokesperson added: “December 9 is the International Anti-Corruption Day, IACD, which aims to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development of nations. It is therefore fitting that we chose this occasion to announce our IAACA membership as we acknowledge the need to tackle this issue through cooperation. We reaffirm our commitment in fighting corruption stressing the importance of unifying efforts worldwide to find solutions to address it and raise awareness of its negative repercussions on all nations.

IAACA President Mr. Simon Peh, said: “It is my great pleasure to welcome Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority to join IAACA and partner with other members to contribute to the ongoing development of the Association and to reinforce its global mission of eradicating corruption. With its indispensable role in enhancing governance in the public sector of Abu Dhabi and proven track-record of excellence in ensuring accountability in governmental and public authorities, ADAA has much to offer to the Association. Together with members of IAACA, I look forward to establishing a long and fruitful relationship between the Association and ADAA.”

The IAACA was founded in 2006 as the first global institution for anti-corruption agencies worldwide. Over the past sixteen years, the Association has been instrumental in promoting the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and fostering international anti-corruption collaboration. The IAACA is an independent and non-political anti-corruption organisation, comprising institutions responsible for investigation, prosecution and prevention of corruption around the world. At present, there are more than 140 countries and regions as members or have participated in various initiatives of the international association.

10 October, 2022

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority launches its Internal Audit Platform for the emirate’s government entities at GITEX 2022

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10 October, 2022: As part of its participation in GITEX Global 2022, being held from 10th to 14th October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ADAA joins forces with more than 30 government entities from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi under one digital platform in alignment with the emirate's digital transformation agenda. The Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority launched today its innovative internal audit platform for government entities of Abu Dhabi, aiming to raise the efficiency of auditing in the emirate in order to help spread the values of integrity, accountability and transparency in preserving public funds.

The Authority aims to ensure compliance to preserving public funds and assets and thus enhance the quality of government operations, and as part of that mandate, has created its Internal Audit Platform for official audit and auditor data in various government entities in Abu Dhabi to define the organizational and operational guidelines of internal audit units, based on a set of rules including confidentiality of information, preparation of risk assessment, internal audit plans, and adoption of an internal audit strategies, among others.

An Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority spokesperson said: "The Authority is implementing a range of strategic initiatives that stem from its strategy to enhance the noble values of transparency, accountability and integrity, and to preserve public funds and assets across all Abu Dhabi government entities. The launch of this innovative smart platform contributes to bringing together all government institutions and entities under the authority on one single platform, following the vision and digital agenda of the Abu Dhabi government.”

The spokesperson added: “The platform will maintain a database of the entities’ internal audit units, contributing to raising the quality and efficiency of the relevant information on these entities with regards to their risk assessment results, monitoring the extent to which they adhere to the rules of auditing as issued by the Authority, aiming to improve the quality of work performed and achieving the desired objectives.”

The platform enables the internal audit units in the subject entities to input data and upload supporting documents. The Auditing and Monitoring Sector at ADAA then reviews the data and communicates with these units in case of any inquiries or clarifications required and prepares the audit units’ database for the entities.

GITEX 2022 is a leading global technology platform, and it provides the opportunity for the Abu Dhabi government to introduce initiatives in the fields of government services, data and artificial intelligence, and the digital systems being developed to support the infrastructure of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, enabling a proactive, specialized, easy and secure digital government system.

12 October, 2022 Strategic partnership with Presight.ai aims to enhance ADAA’s capabilities in Artificial Intelligence

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority signs MoU with G42 subsidiary during GITEX participation

DUBAI, UAE, October 12th 2022: As part of the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority's pioneering role in preserving public funds and assets, and in line with its keenness to adopt and use the latest technologies and best practices in the field of artificial intelligence, big data and digital cloud services to support its mandate, ADAA has signed a new MoU forming a strategic partnership with Presight.ai, a G42 company, to enhance the efficiency and quality of auditing and preserving public funds in the emirate’s government entities. The MoU was signed by Ms. Haifa Al Balooshi, ADAA’s Director of Information Technology, and Dr. Adel Al Sharji, Chief Operating Officer of Presight.ai.

The MoU follows a prior successful collaboration between the two parties with ADAA becoming the first government entity to move its data centre to the G42 Cloud and expand its artificial intelligence capabilities across its digital operations and it was signed during ADAA’s participation at Gitex Global 2022.

Commenting the signing, Ms. Haifa Al Balooshi said: "We are cooperating with G42’s Presight.ai subsidiary to fortify our capacity to apply best practices in governance, and achieve the Authority’s directive to preserve public funds and assets by keeping pace with digital transformation processes and utilizing the cloud environment, thereby reducing environmental risks and operational costs, enhancing security and regulatory compliance, and thus contributing to enhancing the overall competitiveness of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, realizing the vision of our wise leadership and supporting ADAA’s strategic vision in this area."

Ms. Haifa Al Balooshi noted that the terms of the MoU included collaboration on a range of tech solutions that will contribute to improving ADAA’s auditing services and efforts in anti-corruption through the use of artificial intelligence and cloud services, which reflects Abu Dhabi's vision for the future of the government sector, and contributing to enhancing institutional performance and quality of service and reducing IT infrastructural maintenance and operational costs.

Dr. Adel Al Sharji said: “Our MoU with ADAA signals our commitment to enabling digital transformation and enhancing analytics-driven, AI capabilities across their digital operations. As a pioneer in digital transformation, we are honoured to have ADAA as a government client deploying a big data, AI-based, auditing platform. Through this dynamic partnership we will be supporting ADAA with analytics-driven, cloud-first and AI solutions that will strengthen the application of best governance practices and introduce new monitoring technologies, all to enhance Abu Dhabi's competitiveness in global governance indices.”

He highlighted G42’s continued progress in expanding locally, regionally and globally to keep abreast of developments in technology, cloud computing and artificial intelligence to upgrade the services delivered to clients.

18 July 2022 This success increases trust in Abu Dhabi’s economic and financial system, further strengthening its leading position across various global competitiveness indicators Fourth stage covers all government entities and companies included in the financial disclosure system

ABU DHABI ACCOUNTABILITY AUTHORITY IS WORKING TO FINALIZE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOURTH PHASE OF THE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE SYSTEM FOR SENIOR ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Abu Dhabi, 18 July 2022 The Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) announced successfully working to finalize the implementation of the fourth stage of the financial disclosure system for senior Abu Dhabi government employees. The system comes as part of Abu Dhabi’s visionary leadership to increase governance, accountability and transparency, in line with global best practices to underpin the emirate’s economic development and growth. Fourth stage of the system is underway and will cover all government entities and companies included in the system, revealed ADAA.

ADAA noted that the stages were completed with around 1500 of Abu Dhabi’s government seniors including the chairpersons of government departments, followed by the undersecretaries of government departments, and subsequently the broader operational management personnel across the government. Launched immediately following the first three stages, the fourth stage is already underway and will cover senior employees of all government entities and companies in Abu Dhabi included in the system.

ADAA noted that the stages were completed with around 1500 of Abu Dhabi’s government seniors including the chairpersons of government departments, followed by the undersecretaries of government departments, and subsequently the broader operational management personnel across the government. Launched immediately following the first three stages, the fourth stage is already underway and will cover senior employees of all government entities and companies in Abu Dhabi included in the system.

The financial disclosure system was implemented with highest levels of accuracy, quality and discretion, using an advanced electronic platform developed and managed by qualified national cadres in cooperation with G42, a leading company in the field of information technology and artificial intelligence. The intent is to develop a strong institutional governance system and support ADAA’s mandate to establish clear foundations and controls for institutional transparency, enhancing public confidence and establish a new concept in the government ecosystem, as financial disclosure is a well-established practice in financial institutions, governments and other public and private sector institutions in various countries of the world, as it contributes to increased public confidence.

The system aims to enhance the principles of integrity and transparency among government employees by disclosing their financial income annually upon assuming their role and upon the end of their service. The disclosure declaration form includes job positions and memberships information, family reporting including minor children, financial statements within and outside the UAE, all information pertaining to personal companies, commercial, financial and professional businesses within and outside the UAE, real estate investments and valuable movable items.

The execution of this system is creating a qualitative leap across government work in Abu Dhabi, strengthening foundational integrity and transparency to enhance confidence. It also effectively contributes to raise Abu Dhabi’s ranking and the country across the most notable global integrity and transparency indicators, to amplify the emirate as a safe investment destination boasting quality, efficiency, and integrity of work as a major attraction for foreign investors.

The next five years will witness a major leap in the concept of disclosure, which will become one of the principles of institutional culture and part of the government work system, government companies and the private sector.

15 July, 2022 The workshop discusses new advancements by IESBA that further strengthen the independence requirements for auditors

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority hosts a workshop with International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants

Abu Dhabi, 18 July 2022 Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA), the independent body responsible for ensuring accountability, transparency, and integrity across all Abu Dhabi government entities, has hosted a workshop with delegates from the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA). The Board is primarily responsible for the development of international ethics and independence standards for professional accountants and independent auditors.

The workshop focused on the newly introduced enhancements to the International Independence Standards by IESBA on non-assurance services, fees, and definition of public interest entities and implementation of these developments. Furthermore, delegates from both sides agreed to continue efforts of cooperation and collaboration.

The meeting covered subjects under a variety of topics, including an overview of the IESBA Code, sustainability reporting and assurance, regulatory and standard-setting development, and featured an open discussion on developing a work plan for areas of collaboration.

Speaking at the closing of the event, Acting Head of Audit Sector Mr. Wael Abdul Qader, said that this type of workshop helps to enlighten both parties on the need to stay well-informed of the constant developments in the profession both at global and local level, saying: “Through a collaborative workshop like this we aim to contribute and influence the global efforts of standard setting process, which supports ADAA’s mission of elevating audit quality in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

Caroline Lee, Deputy Chair of the IESBA, said that the IESBA dedicates significant efforts in working with jurisdictions towards adoption of the IESBA Code as it promotes high-quality and consistent ethics and independence standards for professional accountants in all parts of the world. She said, “We appreciate the opportunity to share the IESBA’s latest standard-setting developments and look forward to continued collaboration with the ADAA”

25 May, 2022 Promoting the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability throughout society and encouraging proper management practices that enhance the emirate's standing

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority launches "Wajib" reporting platform

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 25 May, 2022 Under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority's intention to promote and consolidate the principles of integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance practices in government and government related entities in order to enhance the emirate's position and ensure the health of its financial and economic systems, ADAA has launched the "Wajib" platform (vrp.adaa.gov.ae) through which confidential reports of financial and administrative corruption instances that come under the jurisdiction of the Authority can be made.

The Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority is the body that is ultimately responsible for promoting the honourable principles of accountability, transparency and integrity across all Abu Dhabi government entities, and institutions or companies, whether local or international, in which the Abu Dhabi government has a vested interest of over 25%.

The reports can be submitted through the platform by anyone who witnesses unlawful or damaging practices that undermine the integrity of the government, including employees, customers and suppliers of or to government related entities in Abu Dhabi.

The Wajib platform is accessible and easy to use, and has been designed to be inclusive for all members of society, conforming with rules and regulations in terms of protecting anyone who witnesses and reports wrongdoing in efforts to support national actions against corruption.

The platform is also specifically designed to maintain the highest levels of privacy and confidentiality of all reported data, as well as personal information of individuals who come forward with information that reveals any violations or instances of corruption.

The Wajib initiative is part of ADAA’s vision of engaging the community in the process of reporting financial or administrative violations wherever they may occur, to achieve the goal of promoting principles of accountability, transparency and integrity in Abu Dhabi, strengthening the management of Abu Dhabi's financial resources, and maintaining the provision of the best services for the benefit of current and future generations.

The project to ease the process of reporting wrongdoing comes under the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority’s vision of enhancing transparency, integrity and accountability within all financial and administrative interactions to protect the nation and its financial aptitude from any form of corruption. This objective is being pursued by ADAA through the three key principles that underpin a structure of integrity in combating financial and administrative corruption: impartiality, independence and operational integrity.

The Wajib platform is an impartial step towards having a healthier financial system, giving every member of the community a voice to report any financial or administrative violations, acts of financial corruption or indiscretions, with the aim of safeguarding public funds and resources. The platform, in collaboration with relevant authorities, provides substantial protection measures that ensure the confidentiality of all informants’ information, in accordance with the laws and regulations currently in place, or as may be amended at any future time.

One of the most stand-out aspects of the new platform’s success will be the ability for each and every member of the community to contribute to fiscal security by reporting any financial or administrative violations and corruption in entities under the authority of the Abu Dhabi government. This anti-corruption collective initiative, launched by ADAA, falls directly in the field of public interest and contributes to maintaining the precious financial resources of Abu Dhabi.

After confidential reports are received and reviewed, the person who submitted the complaint will be contacted to authenticate the details of the incident, and he or she will be asked to give some personal information and verify their identity by entering a code sent to their private mobile number, which will have been registered on the platform during the complaint process.

ADAA is calling on all members of society to participate by reporting any financial or administrative violations, indiscretions or acts of corruption that they witness or are subjected to, without hesitation, through the platform, which is the official channel for submitting reports.

A financially and administratively independent body working directly under the authority of the office of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) is responsible for promoting the valued principles of accountability, transparency and integrity across Abu Dhabi government departments, employees and society in general. ADAA has a mandate to ensure that public resources and funds are managed, collected and expended efficiently, effectively and economically, safeguarding them for future generations.