In recognition of its efforts and contributions to ensure the continuity of business at the national level, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) honored the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) for its compliance with the requirements of the National Standard for Business Continuity Management System (NCEMA 7000:2021). The honoring took place on the sidelines of the Crisis and Disaster Management Summit held in Abu Dhabi under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor. 

H.E. Obaid Rashid Al Hassan Al Shamsi, NCEMA’s Vice President, presented H.E. Dr. Maryam Butti Al Suwaidi, SCA’s CEO, with the compliance certificate in recognition of SCA’s efforts to ensure the continuity of business at the national level and its enhanced effectiveness in dealing with emergencies, crises, and disasters, which helped bolster the UAE’s reputation locally and internationally. 

“I would like first to convey my thanks and gratitude to the wise government of the UAE for its efforts in achieving the welfare of the country and the wellbeing of its people. My thanks and appreciation also go to H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor, for having this summit held under his auspices. I am pleased with SCA’s success in obtaining a certificate for its compliance with the requirements of the National Standard for Business Continuity Management System and being named among the best ten authorities in the country after completing all assessment phases and meeting the business continuity system standards in response to the directives of its chairman H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi to address crises and emergencies impacting the securities sector using a healthy, innovative, advanced, and systematic approach,” Dr. Al Suwaidi said. 

“Undeniably, the world as a whole suffered the consequences of recent crises, especially the ones we were not prepared for. This requires us, in the Securities and Commodities Authority, to make extra efforts to develop technologies and come up with ideas that work as mechanisms that buffer the securities sector against potential future crises. Therefore, to improve its effectiveness in managing the emergencies, disasters, and crises affecting this sector, SCA put together teams and committees, trained their members, and shared with them the best international practices to ensure better preparedness and response in the face of any emergency or crisis. This had the greatest impact in improving its business and operations.” 

For his part, H.E. Mohammed Khalifa Al Hadari, Deputy CEO of SCA and Chair of its Business Continuity Committee, conveyed his thanks and appreciation to the NCEMA for its tireless and sustained efforts in preserving national gains and promoting national stability, adding that “the Securities and Commodities Authority has issued the first guidelines for crisis and disaster management to foster overall compliance with the National Standard of Business Continuity Management System in addressing challenges, crises, disasters, and emergencies; ensuring business continuity and the health and safety of its customers and staff; ensuring immediate crisis response; and limiting damage and risks that may adversely affect the community and the continuity of business in the securities sector by applying the principles of governance, including transparency, accountability, active involvement, coordination and cooperation between relevant authorities, the provision of resources, and defining roles and responsibilities.”