The ninth edition of the Abu Dhabi Leadership Forum, hosted by the Department of Government Enablement (DGE), brought together more than 180 senior government officials to strengthen cross-departmental collaboration and accelerate a talent-driven transformation of Abu Dhabi’s public sector.
Held under the theme “Unlocking Performance Through Human Capital,” the forum marked the first major leadership gathering of the Abu Dhabi Government since the enactment of Human Resources Law No. (08) of 2025, which officially came into effect on January 1, 2026.
The new legislation aims to strengthen meritocracy in the public sector, introduce flexible career pathways, and position the Abu Dhabi Government as a global employer of choice for high-performing professionals. These reforms are supported by the DGE’s integrated digital human resource platforms and workforce analytics systems, which enable real-time monitoring of talent development and performance across government entities.
Strengthening Human Capital in Government
Addressing the forum, His Excellency Ibrahim Nassir, Undersecretary of the Department of Government Enablement, emphasized that investing in human capital remains central to the government’s modernization agenda.
“Public service is both a responsibility to our community and an opportunity to make a tangible difference,” Nassir said.
“With the new HR Law now in effect, we have a strong framework to attract, develop, and retain top talent by offering impactful learning opportunities, accelerated growth pathways, and genuine work-life balance.”
He added that initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Leadership Forum reinforce a culture in which leaders actively invest in their workforce while translating professional development into measurable outcomes.
“Through the Forum, we are reinforcing a culture where leaders invest in their people, create space for learning, and translate development into measurable impact. This is how we elevate performance across government and build the capabilities needed for the future.”
A Strategic Step Toward Digital Government
Officials at the forum highlighted that the Human Resources Law of 2025 represents more than a regulatory update. Instead, it is designed as a strategic enabler for a future-ready government that is AI-driven, digitally confident, and capable of anticipating emerging governance challenges.
The transformation agenda is closely aligned with the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy, which focuses on deploying unified digital platforms, advanced data capabilities, and smart government services across departments.
During the forum’s opening session, leaders across government entities also signed the Talent Nurturing Pledge, signaling a shift from promoting a learning culture to ensuring that leadership actions translate professional learning into tangible institutional performance.
Leadership Mindset and Workforce Transformation
His Excellency Dr. Yasir Al Naqbi, Director General of GovAcademy, underscored that effective talent development requires a leadership mindset that goes beyond formal policies.
“Talent nurturing is not a one-off initiative; it is a leadership mindset that must be present across government every day,” Al Naqbi said.
“While the new HR Law provides the workforce systems and governance frameworks that enable meritocracy and flexibility, it is leaders who bring those frameworks to life.”
According to Al Naqbi, when leaders actively promote growth, recognize employee achievements, and empower teams to develop skills through practical work experiences, they help build a more confident, adaptable, and resilient workforce capable of delivering Abu Dhabi’s long-term governance vision.
Participation from Senior Government Leadership
The forum was attended by 71 Directors General and 113 Executive Directors representing a wide range of Abu Dhabi government entities.
Participants engaged in a keynote fireside discussion featuring global experts and senior government leaders, focusing on practical leadership approaches grounded in behavioral science, performance research, and data-driven governance models.
Discussions highlighted that meritocracy within government institutions is shaped less by policy documents and more by everyday leadership behaviors, including how decisions are made, how progress is recognized, and how accountability is reinforced.
Interactive Sessions on Decision-Making and Collaboration
In addition to strategic discussions, the forum featured interactive leadership sessions aimed at strengthening decision-making capabilities, adaptability, and cross-sector collaboration within government.
Participants explored practical leadership techniques such as:
• integrating coaching and mentorship into management practices
• providing real-time feedback to employees
• embedding capability-building into routine government operations
• leveraging digital platforms to track workforce performance and accountability
A key focus was placed on the use of digital learning technologies, including Tomouh, an AI-supported application that provides personalized learning journeys for government employees.
The platform enables organizations to align individual employee development with broader government priorities, helping build a workforce capable of adapting to emerging governance challenges.
Supporting Abu Dhabi’s Future-Ready Workforce
The Abu Dhabi Leadership Forum forms part of the Department of Government Enablement’s broader strategy to strengthen leadership effectiveness and institutional performance across the public sector.
Government officials noted that the initiative builds upon growing momentum within Abu Dhabi’s public sector, where thousands of employees are currently engaged in AI education, digital upskilling, and capability-building programs.
By combining leadership development, digital transformation, and talent-focused policies, Abu Dhabi aims to cultivate a high-performance public sector capable of delivering efficient, responsive, and future-ready governance.
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