The UAE Banks Federation (UBF) recently celebrated a major milestone as its nominee, Ahmed Abdelaal, was appointed to the Swift Supervisory Board. As the Group CEO of Mashreq and a prominent member of the UBF’s CEO Advisory Council, Abdelaal’s selection marks a significant achievement, making the UAE the only nation in the Middle East and Africa to secure a seat on this influential board. This appointment underscores global recognition of the UAE’s rapidly evolving financial landscape and its commitment to fostering a secure, modern, and highly resilient international payments infrastructure.

The newly formed Supervisory Board will play a pivotal role in guiding Swift’s strategic direction, particularly as the financial sector grapples with the transformative impacts of artificial intelligence and post-quantum computing. By collaborating with Swift’s leadership, the board aims to enhance the security and efficiency of global transactions. This development coincides with the UAE's broader push toward digital innovation, supported by the Central Bank’s National Payment Systems Strategy. Furthermore, the country's rising influence is evidenced by Dubai being selected to host the prestigious Sibos 2029 conference, alongside local advancements like the Swift Users Training Centre, which continues to drive excellence in regional banking operations.