Fourteen government entities, one route for approvals

At the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit in May, Abu Dhabi launched a framework that brings 14 government entities under a single mechanism for No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) on capital projects, according to a WAM report published by Zawya on 13 May 2026. The entities include municipalities, utilities, energy providers, transport authorities and telecoms operators.

A Joint Committee chaired by the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) handles escalated NOC requests, identifies the root causes of delay and implements corrective action plans within defined timelines.

Why approvals are an execution issue

Approvals are rarely the most visible part of a project, but they are where several authorities’ requirements meet one programme. When each approval is pursued separately, delays compound and their causes are hard to see. A single escalation route with a named chair turns those delays into something that can be tracked and fixed.

Projects move through defined qualification, review, decision-making and reporting processes rather than informal or personality-driven structures.

The framework fits a wider message from ADPIC. Announcing its international roadshow at EXPO REAL in Munich on 5 to 7 October, the Abu Dhabi Media Office described an infrastructure opportunity valued at more than US$56 billion, and ADPIC’s Director-General described its role as providing a clear, coordinated framework for capital projects.

What it asks of project teams

A faster route for approvals rewards teams that arrive prepared: complete submissions, clear ownership of each interface, and a record of what each authority needs and when. Escalation helps most when the underlying information is already in order.