The UAE Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Independent Evaluation Office of the New Development Bank (NDB), recently conducted a groundbreaking high-level technical workshop in Dubai. Focused on evaluation and audit methodologies for sustainable infrastructure projects, the event marked the first of its kind in the region and attracted a diverse group of experts and representatives from across the globe.
Under the theme “Learning from global experiences on approaches and practices for sustainable development projects: evaluation, internal audit, compliance and investigation,” the workshop highlighted international best practices and explored new avenues for partnerships in knowledge-sharing, South-South cooperation, and capacity-building.
Key Discussions and Attendees
H.E. Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the importance of the UAE’s role in strengthening international cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals. He noted that investing in sustainable infrastructure is a crucial driver of comprehensive economic growth. AlKhoori highlighted the value of collaboration and capacity-building to foster long-term prosperity.
The event also saw participation from Ali Abdullah Sharafi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for International Financial Relations at the Ministry of Finance; Hamad Essa Al Zaabi, Director of the Office of the Minister of State for Financial Affairs; and Thuraiya Hamid Alhashmi, Director of International Financial Relations and Organisations, who serves on the board of the NDB.
More than 100 attendees, including government officials, private-sector representatives, and professional organisations, were present. International entities such as UN Women, the UN World Food Programme, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank also joined, alongside diplomats from Russia, China, Bangladesh, and Algeria.
Fostering Global Knowledge Exchange
In his remarks, AlKhoori described the workshop as a critical platform for building partnerships and sharing expertise among Global South nations. He reiterated the UAE’s strong support for the NDB’s mission to develop sustainable infrastructure that drives long-term growth and sustainability. “This workshop has enabled a valuable exchange of experiences and fostered dialogue essential to capacity-building in sustainable development,” he stated.
Ashwani K. Muthoo, Director General of the Independent Evaluation Office at the NDB, noted the workshop’s significant contribution to capacity-building and ensuring impactful infrastructure projects. He highlighted the importance of rigorous evaluation practices to promote sustainable development, with the UAE playing a central role in advancing these goals.
Workshop Sessions and Key Takeaways
The workshop featured three key sessions. The first focused on the NDB’s evaluation strategies, covering methods and processes for evaluating projects, programs, and policies. Emerging trends and challenges in independent evaluations were also discussed.
The second session addressed internal audit methodologies, with an emphasis on implementing global standards. The final session examined compliance and investigation procedures for infrastructure projects, offering insights into the core principles of international investigation guidelines and methodologies used in addressing complaints.
UAE’s Role in NDB
The UAE, which joined the NDB in 2021, is represented on the bank’s Board of Governors by H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, as Governor, and H.E. Younis Haji AlKhoori as Alternate Governor. Thuraiya Hamid Alhashmi serves on the board of directors. This partnership underscores the UAE’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through collaborative global efforts.
