The First from the Mena Region to Be Nominated For the Board Executive Committee in the History of the IIA Global

Mr. Karem Obeid, Chief Audit Executive at Tawazun and UAE IAA Executive Committee Member has been nominated as the Vice Chairman – Global Services in the Executive Committee of the IIA Global. This move comes in recognition of Mr. Obeid’s active involvement with the IIA locally and globally and his advocacy of the Internal Audit profession, making him the first from the MENA region to be nominated for this position in the history of the IIA Global.

The IIA Global is based in Florida, USA and has now more than 180,000 members in more than 170 countries and sectors. The Institute provides dynamic leadership, guidance, and education for the internal audit profession, thereby empowering practitioners to provide value and the highest quality services for their organizations.

The Board Executive Committee of IIA Global assists the IIA Global Board of Directors in the fulfilment of its responsibilities for overseeing the affairs of the Institute. As a member of the Executive Committee, Mr. Obeid will be part of the body who will lead in determining the future direction of the Institute in this upcoming year. 

With a humble beginning in the UAE chapter in 2005, Mr. Obeid (CIA, CPA, CISA, CRMA, MBA), driven by the love for the profession, has volunteered along with a group of professional peers and dedicated time and effort to advocate the Internal Audit Profession and raise its profile in the UAE and the region. After years of volunteer work and commitment, along with the other members of the UAE IAA Board and Executive Committee, the team has been instrumental in driving the win for the 2018 International Internal Audit Conference to be held in the UAE.

Mr. Obeid who is a seasoned audit professional, has witnessed the transitions in the audit landscape of the UAE for the past decade. He maintains his passion and dedication towards the practice which kept him focused on achieving these milestones. 

Mr. Obeid stated, “The profession of internal audit is very promising; it facilitates effective governance and achievement of the organization’s business objectives. Internal auditors have always worked hard to demonstrate the value they bring to the business, however, this is changing as organizations now appreciate the value addition of the internal auditors.  Currently the internal auditors have bigger responsibilities and they should aim to be the trusted advisors for managements in the areas of Governance, Risk, and Controls.   This has also encouraged young local Emirati to join the profession thus increasing the number of local internal auditors and their capabilities.” 

Mr. Abdulqader Obaid Ali, the chairman of UAE IAA, was quoted “The nomination of Mr. Obeid is a prestigious achievement and marks UAE IAA’s global footprint in this field today. We are confident that we will be able to amplify awareness, inspire, motivate and implement robust strategies which will reflect on the Association’s commitment to take this profession to higher levels.”

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About UAE-IAA:

The UAE Internal Auditors Association (UAE IAA) was set up in July 1995, as a non-profit organization along the lines of its parent body with the support and co-operation of the Emirates Group, the Economic Department, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Al Futtaim, Emirates Bank and Dubai Aluminum Company (DUBAL).

On the 24th of June 2006, the association sought and gained approval to become the official IIA affiliate in the UAE.

In 2008 it obtained a license to become the UAE Internal Auditors Association. The Association today has secured the support of leading companies from the UAE who are involved in promoting the profession of Internal Auditing through this medium.

In line with its mission “To provide dynamic leadership to advocate and promote the profession of internal auditing throughout the UAE”, the association offers trainings, workshops, seminars, QA services and conferences with the objective of promoting the internal audit profession within the business community. The UAE IAA has frequently been inviting leading speakers from across the world to share their experience and knowledge with business leaders and audit professionals within the UAE. We have also been fortunate enough to have some of the most respected business leaders that UAE has to offer, address our audience.