The Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi (DoF) has organised the 2026 Budget Cycle through a high-level event that brought together more than 450 senior officials representing 65 government entities across the emirate.
This year’s cycle marks Abu Dhabi’s full transition to the Performance-Based Budgeting (PBB) Model, a pioneering initiative that links government spending directly to entity-level goals, ensuring tangible improvements in service quality and societal well-being. The model also reinforces transparency, data-driven decision-making, and aligns with global best practices as endorsed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The event featured comprehensive discussions around the key pillars of the 2026 budget, covering plans and strategies to promote financial sector growth in alignment with government priorities. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and transparency, DoF seeks to unify efforts across entities to direct resources toward measurable outcomes that reflect the emirate’s strategic vision.
The annual gathering, which drew notable attendance, included a series of interactive and thematic sessions addressing the latest trends in public finance and global budgeting practices. These insights aim to enhance Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness and support its forward-looking transformation toward a more agile and innovative economy.
Her Excellency Buthaina Al Mazrouei, Director General of Government Financial Affairs at DoF, said: “The 2026 Budget Cycle is a defining moment in our journey to reinforce an integrated financial system that places human well-being at the heart of fiscal policies. This exceptional event builds on the success of the 2025 cycle and reflects the department’s critical role in institutionalising financial sustainability.
“Guided by the vision of our wise leadership, we continue to shape a financial ecosystem that aligns with Abu Dhabi’s development aspirations. By equipping government entities with the tools for smart, data-led, and priority-based planning, we are committed to delivering real, measurable results. Our ambitious vision, strong collaboration, and unwavering commitment to excellence will further position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for fiscal innovation and sustainability.”
Participants also showcased a range of innovative initiatives and practices aimed at driving efficient resource allocation, seen as vital to achieving sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life. The event, as a prominent annual milestone, serves as the formal starting point for government entities to begin preparing their budgets for the year ahead, within a cohesive framework aligned with national priorities and sectoral strategies.
As part of this year’s Budget Cycle, the Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi also announced the launch of the Budget Excellence Award, an initiative designed to recognise outstanding institutional performance among government partners. The award highlights six core values: collaboration, transparency, innovation, efficiency, impact, and excellence. It celebrates entities that demonstrate best-in-class practices in budget planning and public financial management. This new initiative underscores DoF’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strategic alignment in pursuit of sustainable fiscal outcomes.
The department has developed an integrated communications plan to accompany the full budget cycle, covering all phases from early planning to implementation follow-up, ensuring message consistency in line with world-class financial governance standards.
