CMA and MEIRA launch landmark development programme for Emirati investor relations professionals
A strategic partnership between the UAE Capital Market Authority and the Middle East Investor Relations Association will establish a structured pathway for national talent to develop expertise in capital markets communication and regulatory knowledge.
The UAE Capital Market Authority and the Middle East Investor Relations Association have unveiled an ambitious initiative designed to cultivate specialised expertise amongst Emirati professionals working in investor relations. Launched during the MEIRA Annual Conference in Dubai, the Emirati Investor Relations Development Programme represents a significant investment in human capital development within the nation’s financial markets sector.
The collaborative framework combines MEIRA’s internationally recognised Certified Investor Relations Officer qualification with bespoke regulatory content developed specifically for the UAE market. This dual approach ensures participants gain both globally acknowledged professional credentials and deep familiarity with local capital markets governance. Training will be delivered through a combination of in-person and hybrid formats, with sessions conducted at the CMA’s facilities to provide authentic regulatory insight.
Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Capital Market Authority, emphasised the programme’s strategic importance: “Strong capital markets depend on skilled professionals who understand the importance of strategic communication, transparency and effective engagement with investors. This programme is an investment in Emirati talent and in the capabilities that support well-governed and trusted markets.”
The inaugural cohort is scheduled for the final quarter of 2026 and will initially draw participants from entities regulated by the CMA. The partnership envisages training more than one hundred professionals over the medium term, with particular emphasis on developing sustainable career pathways within investor relations and the broader capital markets ecosystem.
The CMA will contribute regulatory guidance, programme customisation, training infrastructure and access for professionals from regulated entities, whilst MEIRA will supply regional expertise, oversee programme administration and facilitate access to internationally recognised certification through collaboration with the UK Investor Relations Society. The two organisations will additionally establish a dedicated talent pool of programme graduates, offering listed companies access to qualified professionals and supporting the advancement of investor relations standards across regulated markets.
Reza Eftekhari, Chief Executive Officer of MEIRA, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “This collaboration exemplifies the strategic cooperation MEIRA was established to foster nearly two decades ago. By combining MEIRA’s regional expertise and professional development framework with the CMA’s regulatory leadership, we are creating new opportunities for Emirati talent and raising professional standards across the UAE and the wider region.”
Further details regarding nominations and applications for the first cohort, together with information concerning participating corporate partners, will be announced in due course.
Source: WAM