The UAE Capital Market Authority (CMA) and the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) have launched a program to develop Emirati expertise in investor relations and strengthen professional capabilities across the country’s capital markets.
Announced at the MEIRA Annual Conference in Dubai, the Emirati Investor Relations Development Program will combine MEIRA’s Certified Investor Relations Officer (CIRO) qualification with UAE-specific regulatory training and assessments developed with the CMA.
The first cohort is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and will be open to UAE nationals working at CMA-regulated entities. Training will use in-person and hybrid formats, including sessions at the authority’s premises, and will be tailored to participants’ professional backgrounds.
According to the announcement, the program aims to train more than 100 professionals over time and create longer-term career pathways for Emiratis in investor relations and capital markets.
The CMA will provide regulatory expertise, localised content and training facilities. MEIRA will lead delivery and provide access to the international certification, developed in collaboration with the UK Investor Relations Society.
The two organisations also plan to create a talent pool of graduates for listed companies seeking investor relations professionals. Details on applications, nominations and corporate partners for the first cohort will be announced later.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
