Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority and Abu Dhabi School of Government jointly announce a strategic cooperation mechanism

Under the title “Let’s Stay Ahead”, the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority has announced a joint strategic partnership mechanism with the Abu Dhabi School of Government with the aim of raising awareness among government employees and officials of their impartial role in applying the highest levels of integrity, transparency and accountability while performing their duties with ethical dedication, all with the aim of protecting public resources and enhancing their sense of joint responsibility.

The Joint Cooperation Mechanism will focus on sensitizing employees working in government and private sector institutions which have a government interest of over 25%, regarding the "Wajib" (wajib.adaa.gov.ae) platform, which provides a channel for reporting financial and administrative violations or suspicious activities in utter confidentiality, recently launched by ADAA.

The joint cooperation also features an awareness-raising platform under the title "Financial Disclosure", which targets senior officials of subject entities through which their property and assets must be disclosed upon assumption of their position and when leaving office, in accordance with legal time terms established by the rules of financial disclosure.

This cooperation is also aimed at raising public employees’ awareness of the importance of improving government services generally, to enhance the quality of the professional and personal lives of people by applying the highest standards of integrity and morality across society, prioritizing the concept of integrity as one of the most important traits expected of each new employee upon joining government agencies.

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority's integrity program consists of four main pillars: prevention, monitoring, response and assessment, ensuring that ethical standards are enshrined in all operations, supporting the success of institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and preserving ethical values enjoyed by the community while highlighting principles of integrity as an integral part of the UAE’s personality and the community as a whole.

The focus on prevention works by promoting a culture of commitment, integrity and transparency, stressing the importance of a positive working environment, combating financial and administrative corruption or malpractice in all shapes and forms, avoiding conflicts of interest and educating the people about the laws, governance foundations and global best practices. The monitoring pillar operates through performance checks and risk audits by examining the efficiency of financial and operational activities, ensuring compliance of those subject to laws, regulations and governance guidelines, and investigating complaints referred to the Authority or violations detected at the workplace.

The response pillar operates through the application of prompt, fair and effective procedures in preventing repeated indiscretions, while appreciating work by encouraging such practices and rewarding employees who devote their work to practices of integrity, transparency and the preservation of public money.

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) is the entity ultimately responsible for promoting the principles of accountability, transparency and integrity across Abu Dhabi entities. ADAA overlooks and monitors the activities and operations of over 550 local and international entities including major investment portfolios around the world.

ADAA was established in 1985 by Decree of Act No. 1 of 1985 as a financially and administratively independent body working directly under the authority of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to monitor financial and operational activities of government entities as well as associated companies and projects in which the government owns 25 percent or more of their capital. In 1997, the Act was amended to enable ADAA to become competent for subsequent supervision rather than prior control in order to enhance its independence.

In 2008, Act No. 14 of 2008 was circulated, which changed ADAA’s role from financial control to government scrutiny in order to improve the levels of transparency and accountability in government institutions. In September 2020, Act No. 19 of 2020 was promulgated, extending ADAA’s powers to establish principles and standards of integrity.