Abu Dhabi Excellence Award Names Grand Jury Panel

The Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance (ADAEP) has officially announced the members of its grand jury for the current award cycle, reinforcing the programme’s credibility as a benchmark for government excellence. The panel brings together distinguished leaders from Abu Dhabi and across the globe, representing both public and private sectors.

The award is part of a government-wide initiative designed to enhance institutional performance and promote collaboration across entities. It operates under the Abu Dhabi Government Performance and Excellence Model, a human-centric and results-driven framework focused on delivering sustainable public value, improving quality of life, and building a future-ready governance system.

A rigorous evaluation process underpins the award, with over 90 local and international experts assessing 37 government entities and 103 initiatives across multiple categories. For the first time, AI-driven analysis has been integrated into the evaluation process, enhancing consistency, insights, and evidence-based decision-making. Final winners will be selected by the grand jury.

The jury is chaired by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC. Other members include Saif Saeed Ghobash, Ala’a Eraiqat, Mariana Mazzucato, and Andreas Jacobs.

This diverse panel combines expertise in governance, innovation, academia, and business, offering a global perspective on performance, public value, and institutional transformation.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber emphasised that excellence remains central to Abu Dhabi’s strategy, noting that the award aligns with the emirate’s ambition to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. He highlighted the role of technology in improving services, strengthening decision-making, and delivering measurable public impact.

Saif Saeed Ghobash stated that the jury reflects a balanced mix of leadership experience and international benchmarking expertise, ensuring that winners truly represent innovation, adaptability, and tangible results that enhance quality of life.

Meanwhile, Mariana Mazzucato praised Abu Dhabi’s approach, describing it as a global example of how governments can prioritise public value. She highlighted the award’s focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term societal impact beyond traditional performance metrics.

The winners of the 2026 award cycle are scheduled to be announced in April 2026, setting new standards for excellence in government performance and innovation.