Financial Supervisory Authority Launches Program to Enhance Integrity and Governance in Government Financial Performance
Finance Minister Dr. Yaqoub Al-Rifai affirmed that elevating the government financial management system and enhancing its efficiency and effectiveness constitute a fundamental pillar in the journey of reform and development, reflecting the state’s continuous commitment to strengthening the principles of integrity, transparency, and governance, optimizing the use of public resources, and safeguarding public funds.
During the launch ceremony for the Program to Enhance Integrity, Transparency, and Governance in Financial Performance of Government Entities, held at the Arab Institute for Planning and implemented by the Financial Supervisory Authority, Dr. Al-Rifai added that the Authority’s role is central to supporting this system. Through its supervisory and financial responsibilities, promoting compliance with laws and regulations, and providing advice and guidance to government entities, the Authority contributes to improving the quality of financial performance, enhancing the efficient use of state resources, and supporting reform and development efforts.
He explained that the launch of this development plan translates the orientation toward continuously improving government performance, investing in national competencies, and keeping pace with changes and developments in financial management and supervision, in line with the objectives and aspirations of the Kuwait 2035 Vision for a more efficient and effective government administration.
Dr. Al-Rifai noted that the success of these efforts requires the integration and coordination of roles among various state agencies and institutions, working as one team, based on the belief that improving financial performance is a shared responsibility. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is to enhance the efficiency of state institutions, protect their assets, and support their developmental trajectory.
Dr. Al-Rifai expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the head of the Financial Supervisory Authority and all its staff for their dedicated efforts in fulfilling their national responsibilities.
For her part, Neda Al-Suhli, head of the Financial Supervisory Authority, stated in a similar address that the launch of the program represents one of the Authority’s strategic initiatives aimed at transitioning from a procedural oversight concept to a broader framework focused on capacity building, strengthening prevention, disseminating knowledge, and embedding sound financial practices.
Al-Suhli added that the program’s implementation spans four fiscal years, from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2030, providing an appropriate timeframe for gradual and sustainable work, measuring outcomes, and developing tools and practices in response to evolving conditions in the government work environment.
She clarified that the importance of this program extends beyond the Authority and the entities under its supervision, noting that it is directly linked to Kuwait’s development journey and supports two fundamental pillars of the state’s development plan.
Al-Suhli explained that the first pillar, “Effective Government Administration,” is embodied in efforts to build institutional capabilities characterized by efficiency, governance, integrity, and transparency in managing public funds.
She stated that the second pillar, “Creative Human Capital,” involves investing in people as the fundamental basis for any sustainable institutional development, by qualifying government financial cadres and enabling them to keep pace with recent developments in financial management, supervision, and governance.
Al-Suhli noted that the program is linked to the concept of the knowledge economy by enhancing specialized financial knowledge, leveraging best practices, and utilizing financial and technical analysis tools. This contributes to supporting the quality of financial decision-making, improving the efficiency of public spending, and strengthening the prerequisites for sustainable development within the framework of the Kuwait 2035 Vision.
She highlighted that since its establishment, the Authority has achieved significant milestones in safeguarding public funds, including through prior and preventive supervision exercised by financial supervisors to prevent and correct erroneous financial procedures before their execution. This effort has contributed to preserving approximately 1.5 billion Kuwaiti dinars (approximately 4.8 billion US dollars) in public funds.
Al-Suhli added that this achievement is not merely a figure but embodies the value of preventive supervision and its role in supporting a fundamental national and developmental goal: enhancing the efficiency of public spending and achieving the optimal use of public resources.
She clarified that the Authority’s role does not stop at identifying observations or correcting financial procedures but extends to contributing to building a more efficient, aware, and compliant government financial environment, as well as supporting government entities with advice and expertise that enable them to address the root causes of errors and observations and elevate their financial practices.
Al-Suhli expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Finance Minister Dr. Yaqoub Al-Rifai, government entities, and the staff of the Financial Supervisory Authority for their support and assistance. She also expressed her hope for the continuation of cooperation and engagement with the program.
Abdulrahman Al-Hadeeb, manager of the “Program to Enhance Integrity, Transparency, and Governance in Financial Performance of Government Entities,” stated in a similar address that the program was designed with clear quantitative and qualitative objectives, enabling the transition from planning to execution, measurement, and performance development based on actual results.
Al-Hadeeb added that the program aims annually to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of 400 financial employees from various government entities by implementing 20 specialized practical workshops in financial and supervisory fields, in addition to providing consultations on the development of five pieces of legislation annually to strengthen integrity, transparency, and governance in government financial performance.
He explained that the program relies on practically measuring the impact of the workshops by targeting an improvement of at least 30 percent in the results of financial performance evaluations of employees compared to pre-participation evaluation results. He clarified that the workshops serve as a means to achieve tangible and measurable development in knowledge, skills, and practice.
Al-Hadeeb noted that the first-year plan (2026–2027) includes 20 specialized workshops covering topics such as addressing observations and objections noted in the Authority’s reports, procurement committee operations, practices and tenders, and financial and governmental accounting.
He added that other topics for the specialized workshops include artificial intelligence and its applications in accounting, auditing, internal review, risk management, budget preparation, monitoring government contracts, financial investigation, anti-corruption, and anti-money laundering, among other related subjects.
